The Dangers Fleas & Ticks Bring To Orange County Properties

What are two things you can think of that are nothing alike but at the same time are extremely similar in nature? In the pest world, these two things are fleas and ticks. Despite their numerous differences, these two creatures cause almost the exact same problems.

One problem these pests bring onto Orange County properties involves the many sicknesses they spread. To help you understand the dangers fleas and ticks pose to people in our area, here are a few things you should know.

What Sets Fleas & Ticks Apart?

Fleas and ticks are set apart in many ways. For one, they aren’t even the same classification of creatures. Fleas are insects whereas ticks are arachnids, falling into the same family as spiders. Another difference involves how fast these pests move.

Ticks are incredibly slow and use their environment to get onto animals and humans in order to feed. Fleas have powerful legs which they use to get around and jump on and off of their hosts. When feeding, fleas are quick, able to consume a meal of blood in just about a minute. Ticks, however, take much longer and will sometimes draw blood for over a week before finishing!

The Dangers Of Fleas & Ticks

The one thing fleas and ticks share in common is their ability to spread dangerous disease-causing organisms. Most often, these pests will carry parasites, pathogens, and bacteria on their mouthparts and/or inside their bodies. They pick up these sickness vectors from infected animals and humans.

Diseases like Lyme disease are picked up from field mice and other common woodland creatures. In addition to this sickness, here are some other things you might contract from one of these pests:

• Anaplasmosis

• Babesiosis

• Ehrlichiosis

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever

• Powassan virus disease

• The bubonic plague

• Murine typhus

• Tularemia

How Fleas & Ticks Get Into Homes

Fleas and ticks get into homes in similar ways. The first method these pests use to get indoors includes climbing inside through holes, gaps, cracks, and other entry points found in a home’s exterior. The second method involves riding inside on rodents, birds, bats, cats, dogs, or other creature hosts. Once inside homes, it is not uncommon for fleas and ticks to make themselves comfortable inside rugs, furniture, and in hard-to-reach spaces between blood meals.

Some Prevention Tips For Fleas & Ticks

To keep fleas and ticks from invading your property, you have to limit their access to entry points and deter the wildlife invaders that bring them inside. To do these things, here are a few prevention tips our experts recommend:

• Install a fence around your yard and garden.

• Reduce clutter and eliminate debris around your yard.

• Trim your grass regularly and remove thick undergrowth.

• Trim back tree branches and bushes at least five feet from your home’s exterior.

• Seal gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation.

• Repair damage to window/door screens.

• Install door sweeps under exterior doors.

• Invest in flea/tick prevention for your pets.

• Feed your pets indoors.

Why You Should Call The Professionals About Your Flea & Tick Problems

When it comes to eliminating and handling fleas and ticks around properties, there is no better option than to get an expert involved. At Pacific Shore Pest Control, we put the professional in professional pest control. We will implement the needed strategies and organic pest treatments around your yard and home to ensure pests like fleas and ticks stay off your property.

Call us today to schedule a service visit for your Orange County property and discover how quality home pest control and commercial pest management can make your life better.