Fleas and ticks are among the most difficult domestic pests to deal with. They affect your sweet fur babies, making them itch and scratch until they’re just miserable, not to mention the illnesses they pass on. We know how much you care about your pets and we want to help manage your flea and tick issues once and for all. First, you should know as much as possible about these potentially dangerous pests, so you can understand how urgent it is to treat the problem.
Life Cycle of Fleas:
(These tiny, bloodsucking insects primarily affect animals, but will attack human hosts.)
- Adult fleas eggs in the fur and surroundings of the host. Eggs will hatch in 1 – 10 days.
After hatching, fleas enter their larval stage.
Between 5 and 20 days the larvae will spin a cocoon and enter the pupa stage.
Adult fleas will not emerge from the cocoon until there is a clear presence of a host, such as movement or body heat, which will signal that there is a blood meal available.
Adult females begin to feed within hours of emerging from the cocoon and will mate and begin laying eggs soon after.
Tick Life Cycles:
The life cycles of different species of ticks can last upwards of two to three years. They do, however, all include the same four stages: egg, larva, nymph and adult. In order to progress to the next stages of its lifecycle, ticks must successfully have a blood meal. Unlike fleas, ticks aren’t picky and hosts can include mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians alike.
What Makes Fleas and Ticks Dangerous?
Fleas are generally a nuisance for pets, causing itching and allergy symptoms. However, tapeworms can be passed to cats, dogs, and humans from fleas. They are also capable of passing plague to people.
Ticks spread Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Powassan (POW), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Tularemia. Ticks can also be infected with bacteria, viruses, or parasites, so they are very dangerous.
When Are Fleas and Ticks Most Active?
You probably already know that the warm spring, summer, and early fall months are prime times for fleas and ticks outdoors. Just a few places to be wary of include:
- Your pets will come in contact with fleas and ticks in a variety of natural settings, such as tall grass, plants, flowers, and other foliage.
- Ticks are opportunistic and wait patiently for an unsuspecting host to step close by. Going for a walk in the park could easily result in a hitchhiking tick, so be sure to check your pet’s coat after every outing.
- Fleas love to jump from one host to another, so be aware of contact with people, other animals, as well as animal carcasses when out in nature. Fleas often congregate on dead animals and even a momentary sniff can allow unwanted passengers to jump aboard your curious pet.
- What you may not realize is that fleas can also remain active year-round inside your warm-cozy home, even in the depth of the Ohio winter, where they can continue to be a problem for you and your pets.
How Do I Protect Against Fleas and Ticks?
By far, the best way to keep your pets and family safe from fleas and ticks in Ohio is to keep them indoors all the time, But, that simply isn’t possible. However, you should treat your furry companions with vet-prescribed, or OTC flea medications such as chewable tablets, drops, or flea collars.
You should also contact the pest control specialists at Lucrest Pest Control to discuss our exclusive Indoor/Outdoor Flea and Tick Treatment Program. We understand how important it is for you to keep your home and family safe from pests, including your fur babies. Call (419) 938-8533 to request an appointment today
