Fleas and ticks can be a real nuisance. They can also be a misery for your pets. Worst of all, they have the ability to present a health risk to you, your spouse, and your kids. Fleas and ticks are associated with the spread of many diseases that can impact human health. Today, we're going to discuss a few helpful strategies that can help to keep fleas and ticks out of your home and away from your Houston property.

Different Pests, Same Problems

Fleas are six-legged insects that don't get onto humans and hitch a ride. You don't have to worry about picking fleas up in your yard and bringing them into your home. Ticks are eight-legged arachnids (in their adult form) that can get onto humans and hitch a ride indoors. While fleas and ticks are different, management of these pests is handled in a similar way.

Protection For Your Pets

When fleas or ticks get onto your dog or cat, they aren't just going to make your pest miserable, they can use your pet to hitch a ride indoors. There are a few ways you can prevent a flea or tick infestation in your home.

• Consult your veterinarian about flea and tick control products and get products that are appropriate for your pet and for your family.

• Check your pets when they come inside, or on a routine basis. Use a flea comb to check your pet for fleas or flea dirt. Inspect your pet's ears and between the toes for ticks. These are common locations where ticks attach. You can also feel your pet's skin for unfamiliar bumps. This could be a tick attached to the skin underneath fur or hair.

• If you have a dog, and your dog does not have a fenced-in outdoor play area, consider constructing one. This can keep your pet from exploring your property and picking up fleas and ticks. It also deters wildlife from entering this area and leaving fleas or ticks for your pets to pick up. 

Wildlife Management

Animals bring fleas and ticks into your yard. Everything you do to deter animals will help to reduce these pests on your property.

• Keep all of your garbage in plastic bags and store them in covered containers that cannot be knocked over by a mid-sized animal.

• Use fencing material to protect the voids underneath structures, such as your deck or shed.

• Keep your grass, bushes, shrubs, and other vegetation on your property trimmed.

• Remove weeds and grass from your landscaping.

• Move birdfeeders to at least 20 feet from your home.

• Remove yard clutter that small animals can hide underneath.

• Move scrap construction wood, dead branches, and other wood debris well away from your exterior walls.

• If you have fruit-producing trees, be sure to stay on top of picking fruit up from the ground.

• If you have a dog, stay on top of waste clean-up. As disgusting as it may sound, some urban wildlife feed on the feces of domesticated animals. 

Rodent Protection

Mice and rats can bring fleas and ticks into your yard, but they can also bring them into your home and spread them to every level of the structure. If you want to keep fleas and ticks out, you need to consider rodent control.

• Perform routine inspections around the outside of your home, particularly underneath structures. Look for black droppings and damage done to wood and other building materials.

• If you find holes, fill them in with a caulking material or expanding foam. If the damage continues, you may need to consider applying hardware cloth or metal flashing to add better protection.

Moisture Control

Fleas and ticks need moisture to survive. If you have a damp perimeter or landscaping, this can make it easier for these pests to develop near your home.

• Address damaged or clogged gutters.

• Trim landscaping so that air can flow through your vegetation and keep things dry.

• Blow leaves out of vegetation and out from underneath structures.

• Remove dead branches and other wood debris.

Flea And Tick Control

There are products that work to arrest flea and tick development. These can be applied to key areas around your home during routine visits from a licensed pest-management professional as a part of your pest control plan. Flea and tick control is just one of the many benefits of year-round pest control service.

Houston Residential Flea And Tick Control

If you live in Houston, you're in our service area. We'd love the opportunity to speak to you about your pest control options and guide you in selecting a pest control plan that's right for you. If fleas and ticks are a concern, we'll be sure to add coverage for these pests in your plan. Reach out to us today to get started.

Had my initial setup and install today, and everything went very well! Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Feel so much better after making the switch to All-Safe!!

K. Cloud

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