Fleas and ticks are irritating little guys that can cause serious issues for your pets if left untreated. This blog gives a quick overview of fleas and ticks and offers a few tips on how to keep them at bay with a bit of preventative action.
The 411 on Ticks & Fleas
Ticks undergo a four-phase life cycle: egg → larvae → nymph → adult. Nymphs account for 98% of tick bites. Peak tick activity spans May to July, yet ticks remain active year-round, lurking in tall grasses or weeds, waiting to hitch a ride on warm-blooded passersby. Feeding ticks, depending on their life stage, transmit pathogens causing illnesses like Lyme disease, with symptoms ranging from fever to rashes.
Fleas, like ticks, rely on hosts to survive, progressing through egg, larvae, pupae, and adult stages over two weeks to two years. Flea infestations peak during warmer months, with adults freely moving between hosts and laying eggs, potentially leading to diseases like heartworm and tapeworm if left untreated.
Prevention is the Best Policy!
Shielding your yard and home is the best way to protect your pets from fleas and ticks. Here are some tips:
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- Reduce tick and flea habitats by maintaining wooded areas and managing brush piles.
- Create a protective barrier around your home, especially near outdoor gathering spots. Did you know that Waynes mosquito treatments also eliminate fleas and ticks?
- Treat wood sheds and dog houses if you think fleas and ticks are on your property.
- Vacuum carpet and rugs frequently, as they can house immature fleas.
- Ask your veterinarian for advice on anti-flea and tick medications to safeguard your pets and prevent infestations indoors.
Fleas are difficult to kill once they are inside your home – that’s why we recommend your first line of defense be a protective barrier around your home like Mosquito+.
However, if you do end up having problem inside your home, you don’t have to suffer alone! Waynes can help with professional flea treatments that get to the root of the problem.
We’re here to look out for your family, including the furriest members! Contact us today if you need our services, or give us a call at 1-866-929-6371.
