Flea & Tick Identification & Prevention In Chesapeake, VA

What are fleas and ticks?

Fleas are blood-feeding insects whose flat body is covered in a hard shell and whose powerful hind legs help these tiny insects protect themselves from being squished. Blood is the sole source of nutrition for fleas and ticks. Their primary hosts are warm-blooded animals like cats, dogs, rodents, and wild animals. Though fleas can and will bite people, we aren’t their preferred hosts. The soft, warm fur of animals provides the perfect environment for adult fleas to feed and breed.

Ticks are also blood-feeding pests, but they are not insects; they are arachnids like spiders. Ticks are slow-moving and lack the ability to both jump or fly. They mainly rely on their animal hosts to move them from place to place. When ticks are ready to feed, they climb to the top of a piece of vegetation and wait for an animal or human host to brush past them that they can climb onto. Protect your Chesapeake home from fleas and ticks by reaching out to our team today!

Are fleas and ticks dangerous?

Dealing with fleas and ticks is not just annoying; they are dangerous pests and have no business in our Virginia yards and homes. Both fleas and ticks can spread diseases to people that can make us ill. Fleas also spread parasitic tapeworm to people and animals.

In addition, secondary infections can occur after being bitten by either a flea or tick. Fleas bites are very itchy, and excessive scratching can leave openings in your skin that allow bacteria into your body.

In order to feed, ticks bury their head in the skin of their hosts; if the entire head is not removed, the bite can easily become infected.

Why do I have a flea and tick problem?

Wildlife is the most likely cause of your property’s flea or tick infestation. Wild animals are notoriously covered in fleas and ticks. As they move from their nesting site to forage for food, they introduce the parasites living in their fur into new indoor and outdoor spaces.

Where will I find fleas and ticks?

Fleas can invade and create large, difficult-to-manage populations in our yards and homes. When not on an animal host, they hang out in damp, dark areas. Fleas are often spotted in bedding, folded towels, rugs, cushions, and behind baseboards in our homes. Outside, fleas waiting for a host hang out in damp, dark areas, such as tall grass, mulch in gardens, leaf piles, areas under shrubs and bushes, and woodpiles.

In contrast, most species of ticks aren’t able to complete their life cycle indoors. They are more of a threat outside in our yards. Ticks that are waiting for a host hang out in densely wooded areas, areas of tall grass, and vegetation next to walkways, steps, and fencelines.

How do I get rid of fleas and ticks?

Don’t let fleas and ticks have free-range of your yard or home for another day. Reach out to the professionals at Hawk Mosquito & Pest. We can provide you with the inspection and treatment services necessary to get rid of a current infestation and work with you to stop them from taking over in the future.

We are committed to our customers and to providing residential and commercial pest control solutions in Chesapeake, VA that are eco-friendly, effective, and of course, budget-friendly! Our targeted flea and tick control services will ensure your property’s flea and tick problem is quickly solved, and through our regular follow-up services, we will ensure they won’t be a problem in the future. Give us a call today to learn more about the benefits of partnering with Hawk Mosquito & Pest and implementing our Chesapeake flea and ticks control services!

How can I prevent fleas and ticks in the future?

Prevent issues with fleas and ticks by partnering with us at Hawk Mosquito & Pest and implementing the following recommendations:

• Remove standing water, open trash cans, pet food, bird feeders, and areas of dense vegetation from your yard that attract wild animals.
• Keep your lawn cut short.
• Remove leaf piles and woodpiles from your home that provide shady, damp areas for fleas to hide within.
• Cut wooded areas back from your property line.
• If you own pets, make sure to place them on a year-round flea and tick prevention program under the guidance of their veterinarian.
• Regularly vacuum your home.
• Inspect yourself and pets for fleas and ticks before coming inside after spending time outside, especially in wooded or grassy areas.

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