Springtime is a time when insects begin emerging from their overwintering spots. Among these insects are fleas and ticks. Fleas and ticks are rarely noticed by humans outdoors. That’s because they crave animal blood, which makes your pets perfect hosts for these annoying pests.
Where Do Fleas and Ticks Live?
Since fleas and ticks are so hard to see, many people don’t know where they hide. Fleas and ticks enjoy warm temperatures but prefer to reside in the shady areas of your lawn. These areas can be in the shade of trees, bushes, under decks and porches. They also live in tall grass or other overgrown areas of your yard.
As we mentioned, fleas don’t have a hankering for human blood but prefer the taste of animal blood. This means your outdoor pets. Cats and dogs often explore or nap in these high-risk areas of the yard. After Sparky is loaded up with fleas and ticks, he can carry them into the house like an unsuspecting Trojan dog . Once inside, a female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day for six months in your carpet, beds, and furniture.
Dangers From Fleas & Ticks
Fleas and ticks can drive your pets crazy and can cause rashes on humans. They can also carry diseases which can affect both pets and humans.
Ticks
- Lyme Disease: Causes rashes, joint pain, chills, fever, and general fatigue.
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Fever, nausea, conjunctivitis (pink-eye), joint pain, and muscle pain.
Fleas
- Allergies: Flea fecal matter and saliva can cause allergic reactions in both animals and humans.
- Tapeworms: Fleas can carry tapeworms that can be ingested by cats, dogs, and even infants.
- Murine Typhus: Fleas contract this disease by biting infected rats. Symptoms include body aches, fever, and nausea.
Ways to Prevent Fleas and Ticks
Keep Grass Short
There are several different types of
ticks in Michigan
. Ticks instinctively hide in tall grass waiting for unsuspecting animals to pass by. If you have any tall grass near your home or that is frequented by your animals, you may want to consider mowing it down. Removing tall grass will limit the number of places fleas and ticks hide in your yard.
Trim Your Trees and Shrubs
Keep branches from trees and shrubs away from your house. Ticks can live in trees, and if branches are touching, they can use it as a bridge to get into your home. Ticks are attracted to the heat in your home, so make sure you don’t unintentionally invite them in. Make trimming your trees and shrubs part of your spring cleanup .
Block High-Risk Areas
High-risk areas of your yard include under trees, tall grass, and under porches and decks. If you have a pet, these areas could be considered high risk. You can protect your pets and your home by fencing these areas off and preventing your animals from getting into them.
Get Professional Tick Control Services
Here at Custom Personalized Lawn Care, we have a 5-step flea and tick control service designed to keep you and your family safe from these dangerous biting insects.
When you call, we will send out one of our trained flea and tick technicians who will inspect your lawn thoroughly for fleas and ticks. Then, they will spray a flea and tick fog that will make these insects think twice before stepping onto your property again.
Give us a call at (800) 570-3313 or request a free estimate . You can also check out our Facebook for news and deals.
