Don't Let Fleas and Ticks Threaten Your Home

Many people think fleas and ticks come exclusively from dogs and cats. However they can cause problems for homeowners who don't even own pets! They can gain entry into your home through items brought onto your property. If you suspect ticks or fleas in your home, have a licensed pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks review the situation to eliminate them from your space. A B Pest Control and Insulation can eliminate the chance of an infestation. Fleas and ticks can carry diseases like Lyme disease, typhoid fever, and tapeworms that can make humans and pets very sick. Below we describe in more detail the habits of fleas and ticks and how they threaten ourselves, our households, and our pets:

Habits of Fleas

Fleas are parasites that feed on any warm-blooded body, such as cats, dogs, and humans. They will attach themselves to rodents and other mammals and will infest household pets and wild animals. Their legs can transport them as high as 8 inches vertically and 16 inches horizontally. Fleas will remain on their hosts at all times, but can also be found on shoes, pant legs, or blankets, which can transfer them to new environments. 

How Fleas are a Threat

A flea is capable of laying hundreds of eggs in its lifetime. In as little as five days, they can mature into adults and begin to feed on your pet and lay eggs again. This life cycle is repeated again and again until a Lake of the Ozarks pest control company intervenes. The saliva from fleas can cause serious Flea Allergy Dermatitis in pets, and it has been reported to cause similar reactions in humans. Typhoid fever and the bubonic plague are the worst diseases that can be transmitted by fleas.

Habits of Ticks

Many ticks are carried into homes and yards from dogs. A few species of ticks may be common around buildings. Since ticks cannot run, hop, or fly, they wait for a host to come by and attach themselves to them by an animal's fur, or pants or socks worn by a human. The tick grasps the skin and cuts the surface its host. They feed on a diet of blood and if they do not find a host they will die.

How Ticks are a Threat

Ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tularemia. The Black-Legged Tick is responsible for most Lyme disease cases in the Midwest, but there are other species of ticks that may also transmit Lyme disease. Be aware of rash and fever, these could be signs of a tick-borne illness.

Before You Treat Your Property for Fleas and Ticks

If your home needs treated for fleas and ticks at the Lake of the Ozarks, there are a few things you can do as a homeowner to prepare for the treatment:

• Have your pet treated for fleas and don't let it back into the areas to be treated or you may be making another trip to the vet.
• Vacuum all areas, including carpet, floors, upholstered furniture, mattresses, etc. Replace the vacuum bag afterwards and dispose of it outside of the home.
• Clear areas to be treated of any clutter and debris so that the treatment will be effective.
• Remove clutter and debris from your yard and mow your lawn if you are planning on having your yard sprayed.

Let A B Pest Control and Insulation Eliminate Fleas and Ticks from Your Property

If you believe you have a flea or tick problem, contact A B Pest Control and Insulation. We will conduct an inspection and resolve the root causes of the infestation. Our next step will be to prepare a management plan to repel and eliminate fleas and ticks from your property!

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

Visit Our Website:
www.abpest.net

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