Flea & Tick Identification & Prevention

Fleas and ticks feed on the blood of people and animals. Some of their favorite warm-blooded animals include dogs, cats, deer, raccoons, squirrels, rats, and other wild animals. These problematic Costa Mesa pests breed quickly, are difficult to control, and can move into our homes and yards with ease.

Fleas jump more than 150 times their own height, and females can lay thousands of eggs in their lifetime. Ticks lay in wait in tall grass and vegetation for a host to brush past them that they can crawl on. Warm weather and plenty of moisture allow these pests to thrive. While both are problematic for people who own pets, an infestation of ticks or fleas can happen in any yard or home, whether pets are present or not.

Fleas are prolific breeders and live together on a host in very large numbers. In the U.S., fleas aren’t typically associated with the spread of disease, but they still are problematic. Many people and animals are allergic to flea saliva and develop itchy rashes after fleas bite them. Also, animals heavily infested with fleas may develop anemia, and excessive scratching at the bite sites may lead to loss of fur and sores developing. Fleas are also able to spread parasitic tapeworms to both people, pets, and wild animals.

Ticks live in smaller groups than fleas but are more dangerous than fleas because of the number of serious diseases they transmit to people and animals. Ticks spread diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, and tularemia. The diseases that ticks spread may cause mild to debilitating symptoms.

There are many ways that fleas and ticks in Costa Mesa become a problem in yards and sometimes inside our homes.

• Fleas and ticks find their way into yards on the backs of wild animal hosts.

• Neighboring pets that wander into your yard could introduce fleas and ticks.

• You or your pets could introduce fleas or ticks onto your property after walking in the woods, visiting a park, or being at the dog park.

• Rodents moving into your home to nest or forage for food may introduce ectoparasites like fleas or ticks.

• Fleas can move into homes on used rugs or furniture.

Fleas can become a problem either inside or outside. Both yards and homes can become infested with large numbers of fleas. On the other hand, most ticks cannot breed indoors and are, therefore, mainly a problem outside in yards and other outdoor spaces.

When not on an animal host, areas under woodpiles, leaf piles, and shrubbery are where fleas hide until they come into contact with an appropriate host. Inside, flea adults, larvae, and eggs hang out in bedding, rugs, upholstered furniture, cracks in floors, and behind baseboards. Ticks hide in dense vegetation like tall grass, under leaf piles, along wooded pathways, in roadway ditches, and in other areas that wild animals travel through.

The smartest way to eliminate fleas, ticks, and other pests from your property is to partner with Smart Pest Control. We deliver pest control services that are comprehensive and detailed, ensuring we get to the root of your pest problem and completely solve it.

To learn more about how our locally owned company will protect your property from pests, reach out to Smart Pest Control today. We can work together to ensure your Costa Mesa home or business becomes and stays free of pests, we guarantee it! Call today to learn more about our flea and tick control solutions!

The professionals here at Smart Pest Control can help you prevent problems with fleas, ticks, and other pests. In addition, use the following tips to help prevent future problems with fleas and ticks.

• Remove stray fleas and ticks that find their way into your home by vacuuming your floors regularly.

• Wash pet bedding and your bedding frequently.

• If possible, keep pets off of furniture and your family’s beds.

• Cut back overgrown or wooded areas away from your property line.

• Keep the grass cut short and cut back overgrown vegetation.

• Inspect yourself and pets for fleas and ticks before bringing them inside after being outside.

• Keep yourself and pets from walking through tall grassy fields or densely wooded areas.

• Make your property less attractive to rodents infested with fleas and ticks by removing food sources. Keep lids on trash cans, maintain gardens, and remove bird feeders.