Flea & Tick Identification & Prevention

What You Need To Know About Fleas And Ticks

Nobody wants to discover biting fleas and ticks in their Del Rio homes or yards. The more you know about fleas and ticks, the easier it will be to stop them from taking over your property. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Fleas & Ticks

What are fleas and ticks?

Fleas are wingless insects, and ticks are a type of arachnid. They both have in common that they are external parasitic pests that feed on the blood of people and animals.

Both parasites commonly invade our Del Rio properties, introduced on the backs of their animal hosts. It can be difficult to control and eliminate fleas and ticks as they are a nuisance, and unfortunately, a danger. 

Are fleas and ticks dangerous?

As fleas and ticks feed, they share blood with their hosts. During the feeding process, they can transmit pathogens from host to host. While the spread of diseases is much higher through tick bites, both fleas and ticks can threaten our health.

Flea bites are quite itchy as most people and animals are allergic to their saliva. It is quite common to have a red itchy rash develop around the bite sites. Excessive scratching at the bites is uncomfortable and can lead to secondary infections. 

Why do I have a flea or tick problem?

Raccoons, squirrels, deer, skunks, rabbits, foxes, and stray cats and dogs bring fleas and ticks onto our Del Rio properties. After coming into contact with fleas or ticks while spending time outside in your yard, you or your pets can accidentally introduce these unwanted pests indoors. Fleas also get into your home if you bring that are living in secondhand furniture, clothing, rugs, or bedding. 

Where will I find fleas and ticks?

The good news is that most ticks cannot reproduce indoors; the bad news is that fleas can. Fleas are fast breeders that can establish large populations in our homes.

When not on an animal host, we find fleas in shady, damp areas like sandy soil, under shrubbery, under decks, and in the soil under mulch or rocks. They live in large populations where animals hang out. 

Ticks hang out in high-traffic areas that put them into close contact with their animal hosts, like tall grass, wooded areas, along walkways, and next to fence lines. To gain access to a host, they crawl to the top of a piece of vegetation and wait for an animal to brush past them. 

How do I get rid of fleas and ticks?

Fleas and ticks are pests that need the experienced hand of a professional to remove them from our Del Rio outdoor and indoor spaces. Animals are constantly introducing fleas and ticks onto our properties; therefore, regular pest control services are the best way to fend off these unwanted pests.

At Gold Star Exterminators- Del Rio, we offer targeted flea and tick control services to treat your Del Rio property. We want to work with you to remove these biting pests and leave you with an outdoor space you can enjoy without the worry of fleas and ticks. To learn more about flea and tick control in Del Rio or receive a free estimate, please call today!

How can I prevent fleas and ticks in the future?

Use the following tips to help prevent future problems with fleas and ticks.

• Maintain your yard by removing yard debris, keeping the grass cut short, and keeping landscaping pruned. 
• Reduce animal activity on your property by removing bird feeders, keeping lids on trash cans, and removing other food sources.
• Install fencing to help keep wandering pets and animals out of your yard.
• After spending time outside, inspect yourself and your pets for fleas and ticks before entering your home.
• If you own pets in Texas, having them on a year-round flea and tick preventative is essential. 

For assistance removing fleas and ticks from your Del Rio yard or home, don’t hesitate to reach out; we are here to help!