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Flea & Tick Season in North Texas

Flea and tick season in North Texas

High humidity in the North Texas area means Flea and Tick season is here!

No one wants these pesky, nuisance bugs around them or their pets. Fleas can transfer tapeworms and cause skin problems to your pets. Most of the fleas we see are cat fleas, but they don’t discriminate. They attach to dogs rodents, raccoons, squirrels and other animals that can serve as a blood host…yes, even us humans! The most common diseases transmitted by ticks are Lyme Disease Spotted fever and they can affect you and your pets.

The Flea

The life cycle of Fleas has four stages and can develop through all of the stages in just a few weeks as follows:
1) Egg
2) Larvae
3) Pupae
4) Adult

You will only see about 1% of the adult fleas so if there is high activity with several adults being discovered you probably have a severe infestation and should call a professional to help alleviate the problem.

Once fleas get established inside the home it’s very difficult to get rid of them. Even if you hire a professional, it will require work on your end to properly eliminate them. The high humidity months of May and June are typically the best time to treat for fleas inside and out. We use a combination of products to control fleas that are pet friendly, safe and effective.

The egg hatching cycle can be about every 10-14 days depending on the conditions and weather. Females can lay up to 50 eggs a day so they problem can multiply and escalate very quickly. Being proactive and starting in the early stages is key before it becomes an overwhelming issue later.

There are steps you can take to help eliminate fleas before and after a professional treatment. Our trained techs will walk your home and go through all of these steps we/you will need to take to handle your situation.

1) Vacuum/Mop floors daily especially where your pets tend rest and eat.
2) Vacuum base boards, under pillows, on couches, under beds, etc.
3) Wash and dry infested bedding on the hottest cycles you can.
4) Keep grass mowed low
5) Bathe your pet / utilize pet flea spray/shampoo
6) Consult your vet for oral or topical flea control options

Ticks in Texas

The life cycle of Ticks has three stages:
1) Larvae
2) Nymph
3) Adult

**Unlike fleas female ticks lay thousands of eggs each time.

Lone Star Ticks, Deer Ticks, Brown Dog Ticks and Dog Ticks are most prominent in the State of Texas and all of them are in our area.

Ticks feed on mammals including humans. They are found in the spring all the way through the summer months. Grasses and foliage are perfect areas for them to detect scent of dogs/humans, etc. They latch onto you or any host that will pass by their ambush point. With that said, commonly used dog paths in your own yard or frequently used trails are high areas of activity for them. Tick bites can be painful and a reaction to them can last for several days. We use a combination of products to control ticks that are pet friendly, safe and effective. We can tailor a treatment based on your level of infestation and your surroundings after a brief consultation with one of our trained techs.

Protect yourself by wearing light colored clothing so you can detect them easier and tuck in everything you can if you are out hiking around. Over-the-counter spray repellent’s also have their place and should be used accordingly.

Be sure to give us a call at 817-485-4712 and ask about our flea and tick service and warranty. Pricing is determined by the square footage of the home or structure. If necessary, there could be an extra charge for additional treatments or other equipment.

  • JOE MEDRANO

    June 16, 2017, 2:11 pm

    tick and flea season start and end ? I am a disabled veteran. My Rottweiler !….scratching !..a lot.

    Reply
    • Castle

      June 20, 2017, 3:34 am

      Hello! Typically, as soon as it’s warm weather (and can be year round if conditions are favorable). Usually around April, but there have been times it’s been as early as March. We’d be happy to give you an estimate for treating your yard and in the meantime…if any over-the-counter treatment’s don’t help your pet, you should give your veterinarian a visit. Treatment to your yard (and better yet, any affected neighboring yards as well) plus treatment for your pet should do the trick!

      Reply

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