Flea and Tick Information and Control
Fleas and Ticks can become a big problem for your family, especially if you have furry friends that come and go inside and out. In order to get control over fleas and ticks, it is important to understand them first. Once you have a knowledge on what makes fleas and ticks thrive, we then can understand the best modes of control to take.
Fleas
There are over 2,000 species of fleas, and 95% of those species cling to mammals. This means that when you, your dog, or your cat come into contact with fleas, you can become a reasonable host for the flea to live on. Of these species, the most common flea is the cat flea. Unlike its name, the cat flea will cling to many mammals other than just cats. Cat fleas and many other types of fleas thrive in humid conditions of 75% humidity and an average temperature of 80 degrees or higher. Only 1% of all the flea population is actually in the adult stage. This means, that most of the fleas are either in cocoon or larvae stage. This is where the pest control company controls the majority of fleas.
When a host does happen to come into contact with adult fleas, the adult is looking for a dense spot of hair, this is where the flea will lay its eggs. However, since flea eggs are not sticky, many of those eggs fall off of the host. This is typically inside the home, into furniture, carpet, rugs, dog beds, etc. This is important to know, because controlling fleas outside is crucial to the proactive control of fleas, making sure that they do not get the opportunity to get inside the home. At Warren Lawn, we provide a protective barrier around your home, this barrier will kill off any adults or larvae fleas, making sure they do not have the opportunity to get into your home. Warren Lawn also provides a flea application within the lawn, where your pets spend most of their time, eliminating the flea at the source.
Ticks
Ticks are often seen as a larger issue then fleas, this is because they are more easily seen, spread more disease, and have the ability to cling to both human and animals better than fleas. Ticks are starting to become the new mosquito, in reference to the sheer number of them. This is because year over year, more people are moving to areas of new construction, where trees, small patches of timber and water have been left and preserved. This is great for nature and the enjoyment of all, but it also means that ticks are much closer to your home than ever before. Ticks move around and find hosts by climbing onto the edge of tree limbs, posts, twigs and much more. They then detect the amount of Co2 in the air emitted by a host, and when the host gets close, the tick climbs on. When you go outdoors where ticks could be in high number, it is important to wear long sleeves, pants and a hat. This will help keep the ticks on your clothes and off your skin.
If a tick is found on your body or on a pet, the most effective way to remove them is to use a fine pair of tweezers, grab the tick by the head and remove in a swift motion. If the head detaches, you can still remove the head. The old wives tail that you need to use a match, alcohol or any other substance is not true or needed.
The most common ticks that we deal with in the United States are the lone star tick, deer tick, longhorn tick, dog tick and the brown tick. The main danger of ticks, is that they have the ability to spread several different diseases if they remain on the host for a long period of time. The most common diseases that are spread by ticks are lyme disease, rocky mountain spotted fever, powassan virus, babeseosis, heartland fever, bourbon virus. Some of these diseases spread by ticks can be life long.
Flea and Tick Preventative Control
In Central-Iowa, fleas and ticks have the same season at which they are active. From May-September, the temperatures around Des Moines and Central-Iowa are prime for the activity of fleas and ticks. This window, is the time when we need to be taking proactive action to control and prevent fleas and ticks. The most common form of preventative and visual control would be liquid pesticide. The professional products used at Warren Lawn, provide a great barrier of control both in your lawn and around your home. And once this product is applied and has time to dry, it is safe for your family and pets. This control has a residual that will last you all season long when applied at the appropriate intervals on our IPM (Integrated Pest Management) schedule.
Both fleas and ticks prefer dense cover. This cover is typically provided by landscape bushes, a local collection of trees, tall grass, etc. These areas in your lawn and around your home will be sprayed with our product in order to prevent fleas and ticks from resting in these areas and choosing them as sites to wait for your pets or children to come by, there in by hitching a ride into your home.
Another great proactive action you can take as the homeowner, would be to remove any resting areas for fleas and ticks from around your home. This may be in the form of resting firewood, overturned objects, dense bushes and shrubs, long grass, etc. Anything you can do as the homeowner to keep things short and tidy around your home, will make sure that fleas and ticks do not have welcome areas to rest and reproduce around your home.
Another great preventative action you can take, is to make sure that your pets have flea and tick control in or on their body. There are many topical products such as topical ointments and collars that deter fleas and ticks, as well as vitamins and supplements that your pet can take that will prevent fleas and ticks from wanting to take up residence on your pet.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, your goal is to keep your home and family, safe and clean. Nobody wants pests surrounding or entering their home. In order to keep your home and family safe, make sure to take proactive action. The most effective form of action is to implement an integrated pest management plan. At Warren Lawn, we provide you with action steps to keep you protected, as well as provide you with season long control with our products that keep your lawn and home protected from the beginning of Spring to the end of Fall. If you are looking for pest control in central Iowa, contact us at Warren Lawn. We would love the opportunity to serve you to keep the pests out, and your family happy.
