Fleas and Ticks on your Pets

Fleas and Ticks on Your Pets


Fun fact:	Fleas can perform the human equivalent of jumping over St. Paul's Cathedral in London...not just once but 600 times an hour for three days in a row! Talk about an athlete!
Indications:	Normally the first indication is your pet continuously gnawing or scratching the same location. You may also notice a cluster of small red bumps around the bite site, this is because fleas tend to bite 4 -5 times in the same location. Fleas and ticks typically feed on smaller animals as well as dogs and cats, however, if no small animals are available they will feed on humans. When feeding on humans, flea bites frequently occur around the waist, ankles, armpits and in the bend of the elbows and knees. It is important to note that it is not uncommon for fleas to move from the yard to your home or even your car, truck or SUV.
Inspection:	Our HPM certified technician will conduct a thorough inspection and analysis of your property to identify the flea or tick activity present, the location of the current activity, and the source of your flea / tick infestation. Once we have completed the home inspection, we can design a control program to meet your household needs.
Plan of action:	Begin by calling our office and scheduling an appointment with one of our HPM certified professionals. Once at your home we will conduct an inspection and evaluation analysis of your home.
An HPM analysis will:
	Reduce the time to control and start the elimination process. Correctly identify the pests present, and their point of entry. Possibly reveal other non-related pest issues you may not be aware of. Reveal what can be done to reduce the probability of the pests return. Provide you with useful homeowner tips and suggestions. Provide specific costs relative to your home and your pest problem(s).
To schedule your appointment call: 1-888-BUGSHPM or 281-376-3901

Still have questions?

Couldn’t find the answer to your question here? No problem! Visit our HPM Pest Library or call one of our certified professionals today. We’re more than happy to address all of your pest questions or concerns, as well as recommend the treatment that is right for you.

Flea and Tick FAQ

My daughter gets bitten by fleas, but I don’t. Why is this?

Blood feeding insects are attracted to chemicals emitted from the body (sweat, exhalation, etc.). Some people are just more attractive than others to certain insects.
Individual sensitivity to the bite is another factor. To some, flea bites are extremely irritating while other people hardly notice them. This difference is caused by an allergic response to the flea saliva and occurs in varying degrees among people.

When we go on vacation, we board our dogs at the kennel and leave the house closed up. As soon as we get home we are attacked by fleas. The dogs have been away. What is going on?

The fleas already in your house have pupated and were waiting in their cocoons for the proper stimulation to emerge (vibration, carbon dioxide).
To prevent flea eggs from hatching have HPM treat your home early in the year with a residual insecticide and flea growth regulator. This helps to control adult fleas and prevent immature fleas from developing, breaking the flea life cycle.

What is the difference between dog fleas and cat fleas?

Believe it or not the cat flea is the main flea found on both cats and dogs in North America. They are distinguished by a slight morphological difference, which is only detectable under high magnification.

Is it possible to eliminate the fleas from my home?

YES! But effective control requires control of the flea life cycle. This means flea control measures on your pet, your home and your yard. Trying to control fleas on your pet alone is generally futile; immature fleas (eggs, larvae, pupae) develop off the pet and new adults simply jump on, causing subsequent re-infestation.

My pet has fleas (or ticks). I think they are in my yard. What should I do?

With the amount of wildlife around our homes it is not unusual to have some flea / tick activity.
Stray dogs and ferrel cats are also a continuous problem and spread fleas and ticks.
Try not to let your pet roam the neighborhood. Common areas, esplanades and neighbor's yards may not have any flea control measures in place. Contact with uncontrolled sources increases the probability of control failure.
The first step to controlling your flea / tick problem is to have a certified HPM professional inspect your property. Next, we will design a control program specifically for your premises and your household needs.

You should also work closely with your pet care professional to ensure proper grooming and prevention is being and performed on your pet(s).