There is nothing worse than a flea or tick infestation of your home. These disease carrying parasites spread illness by latching onto skin and feeding off blood. Severe flea and tick infestations can cause anemia in smaller animals, and fleas can also spread cat-scratch fever, typhus and the plague to humans, while ticks are the transmitter of Lyme disease. As the old saying goes, prevention is the best form of medicine, so take these steps to protect you, your family, and your pets.

Ways to prevent fleas and ticks from entering your home at all

Fleas and ticks are attracted to warm and moist environments, and they love to live in your lawn and other shrubbery. Your first line of defense against these creepy jumpers is to ensure that your outdoor spaces are well kept and never left too moist. Keep your grass mowed and your other plant life trimmed, including trees that would allow flea- and tick-carrying rodents and feral animals to gain entrance into your home via your rooftop. Seal all vents to the attic and basement, and use a chimney screen to prevent critters from pretending their Santa Claus.

If fleas and ticks have set up shop and turned your yard into a breeding ground, it’s time to bring in professional help. Yes, you can buy outdoor pesticides at your local hardware store, but these are rarely effective against an infestation, especially long-term. Rather, contact a professional exterminator that specializes in flea and tick control to assess your yard space, treat it, and offer suggestions on how to thin out your plant life to encourage more sunshine and air throughout the area, as these two elements will kill flea and tick larvae.

You have to treat your pets regularly, as well. Collars, powders, and shampoos and dips are effective measures if you do not have a heavy flea and tick problem in your area. If you do, the chemical spot treatments you administer to your cat or dog have shown to be the most effective prevention method available on the market. These treatments kill flea, ticks, and their larvae and eggs for the duration of their specified protective period, and some also guard your animal against mosquito bites.

Finally, you must keep your indoor space clean and tidy. Fleas and ticks love carpet and upholstery, so it’s important to vacuum your space and your furniture regularly to remove any eggs. If your living space has been infested by fleas and ticks, don’t go into battle alone. Contact professional help to eliminate these pests indoors and out.

For more information about flea and tick prevention, call us today!