Truly Nolen of Daytona Beach is available to assist homeowners in addressing their flea and tick concerns. These troublesome pests can infiltrate areas beyond pet-inhabited spaces, making it crucial for pet owners and parents to remain watchful, particularly in the summer months when fleas and ticks seek refuge from the sun and search for shadier accommodations.

Though professional help is always recommended, we also encourage homeowners to take preventative measures that can help a potential flea or tick problem from getting out of hand.

• For pet owners, fleas can easily be transported from the exterior of the home to the interior.  It is important that pets are consistently checked, as well as taken to the vet right away if there is a suspicion of fleas or ticks on the animals.
• Pet linens should be washed frequently in hot, soapy water and air dried in the sun.
• For those without pets, pay special attention to the exterior environment, like decks and yards.  Fleas and ticks like to avoid the sun, so shaded areas should be kept clutter free and tall grass consistently cut to avoid providing ideal nesting spaces.

Let’s learn more about fleas and ticks:

Fleas

• Size: Fleas range in size from 1/16 to 1/8 inch.
• Appearance: Flat, wingless and dark colored

An adult flea is a small reddish-brown bug that is laterally compressed, which makes it easy for the flea to move between the hairs of animals. Fleas also have small spines on their body that prevent them from being brushed off the host, as well as a hard, outer body that prevents it from being smashed. These adaptations make them difficult to kill. 

Although there are several ways for fleas to enter your home, pets are often the initial cause. Pets are first infested by fleas while outside or while in contact with another animal that already has fleas.  Wildlife, including opossums, raccoons, and untreated cats and dogs can deposit flea eggs into a yard. You can reduce flea infestations by limiting the access these animals have around your house and yard. Flea eggs and larva are very difficult to see and under the right conditions can easily thrive in your yard and home.

Flea infestations are most easily confirmed by examining your pet. A telltale sign of infestation is excessive scratching. If you are unsure, check with your veterinarian. Not all scratching is necessarily an indication of a flea infestation.  To check for fleas, part your pet's fur in several places and look for tiny black pepper-like specks, known as "flea dirt," scattered on your pet's skin (this is actually flea feces). Although they are very tiny, fleas can be seen scurrying along the surface of your pet's skin. Since fleas do not like light, they prefer hiding in your pet's fur. Their favorite spots include the base of the ears and the rump (just in front of the tail). Look closely at places with less hair like on your pet's belly and inner thighs as this will provide you with the best chances of spotting a flea.  If fleas are found on your pet, you should also check your home to see if the infestation has spread. Although fleas prefer animals, once inside a home they will often bite and feed off human hosts as well. 

Ticks

• Size: Ranging in length from 2-3.5mm
• Location: Ticks are pests that many pet owners are familiar with because they are the most common pests of domesticated dogs in the southern U.S.
• Color: Reddish-brown in color
• Appearance: A hard tick has a tough shield like shell and they are usually shaped like a flat seed before feeding. Soft ticks do not have a hard shield and are shaped like a raisin.

Ticks are external parasites that survive by taking blood from mammals, birds, and reptiles. It is also common for ticks to attach to and feed off humans.  Although many believe that ticks are insects, ticks are actually arachnids, like spiders. There are many different species of ticks and they are commonly divided into two main categories: hard ticks, such as the common dog tick, and soft ticks.

In addition to being uncomfortable and irritating, tick bites can carry a variety of diseases and must be treated correctly and monitored closely.  Diseases can include Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and southern-tick associated rash illness. Common symptoms of tick-related illnesses can include, but are not limited to, fever, rash, aches, pains, and chills. If at any time you feel that the bite is serious, seek medical help as soon as possible.

To prevent an infestation, it is advisable to avoid densely wooded areas because these can be common habitats for ticks. If your pets are often in wooded areas, it is wise to invest in anti-tick medication for pets. If your pet constantly scratches, shows signs of a skin irritation, or becomes lethargic, you may have a tick infestation. If you believe that your pet may have a tick problem, contact your vet for the best method to get rid of them. Because ticks can spread, you should also check your home thoroughly.  Ticks prefer to live in dry, warm places near their hosts, such as bedding and furniture.

If you suspect that fleas and ticks may have invaded your space, contact the Truly Nolen of Daytona Beach team today to schedule a free inspection.

Contact us today to schedule your complimentary inspection.