When you think about pests, you might not group ticks and fleas together. The truth is that they are completely different species, but they are similar in how they infest properties and the problems they can cause. Both ticks and fleas are parasitic pests that are dangerous to have around your Lincoln property, so it is vital to know how to keep them at bay.
Ticks Versus Fleas
Both ticks and fleas use mammals as hosts and drink their blood. However, while ticks will use both people and other animals, fleas only live on the fur of pets of wild critters. They don't use humans as hosts at all, but they can still bite us.
Fleas are very small and reddish-brown. They can be difficult to identify as they look like tiny red or brown dots on carpet or pets' fur.
Ticks can be a variety of colors, such as red, black, or tan, but while they are still small, they are more visible than fleas. Their bodies are oval-shaped, and their heads are much smaller than their bodies. They will usually be flat, but they will look engorged if they've just eaten.
What Problems Do Ticks And Fleas Cause
Ticks and fleas can both cause some health problems. Fleas can spread tapeworms and other parasites. With ticks, the dangers are even greater. These parasites carry many serious diseases, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and the notorious Lyme disease. Both species can trigger allergic reactions or asthma attacks.
How Do These Infestations Start?
There are a couple of differences in the way these infestations begin. However, there are also some similarities. Both ticks and fleas are often brought onto a property by pets, wildlife, or rodents. Because of this, people who don't have any pets in the home can still end up with an infestation. Mice, rats, raccoons, skunks, and other species that invade yards and buildings often bring ticks and fleas with them.
Fleas can get into your home in another way. They can hitch a ride on secondhand items or furniture already infested with them. Then, if you bring these items into your house, they can begin an infestation inside.
Protecting Your Property Against Ticks And Fleas
Because both ticks and fleas can be dangerous to have around, it's better to try and prevent them than to deal with removing them. Even just one tick can lead to illness, so it's not worth taking the risk. Focusing on tick and flea prevention can help keep you and others around you safe.
Below are some steps you can take to keep fleas and ticks away from your property:
- Focus on general pest prevention by keeping kitchen spaces cleaned and covering all garbage cans with lids.
- Deter wildlife by storing pet food inside the house and removing access to bird feeders.
- Take the time to clean up your property and remove organic debris such as leaf litter, mulch, and grass clippings.
- When spending time outdoors, stay to the center of trails and wear long-sleeved clothing and pants to avoid ticks.
- Regularly vacuum and clean the floors of your home or business.
- Reach out to pest control pros.
Ongoing Protection For Your Lincoln Property
Given the potential risk factors associated with ticks and fleas, it's worth getting professional assistance throughout the year to deter them. While doing what you can on your own can reduce the chances of an infestation, the best prevention step is to contact Pro Active Pest Control.
Learn more about our residential and commercial pest control plans by giving us a call today. You can also set up an inspection.