It’s another hot and humid summer in Opelika, AL, and all of nature is out and about. The weather in turn can bring out fleas & ticks that wreak havoc on the health of your home and family. If you’re finding suspicious bug bites on yourself, your family, or your pets, don’t risk letting the issue resolve itself – let’s see if you’ve got fleas or ticks in the house.
Common Fleas & Ticks In Opelika, AL
Fleas and ticks cause similar problems but are vastly different in both size and diversity. Let’s explore each pest individually.
There are several different species of ticks in Opelika, and each one looks slightly different and transmits different diseases. Ticks are hard to identify because of their size – most only grow between 1-2 mm. On top of their small size, all ticks have flat, teardrop-shaped bodies, eight spiny legs, and small oval-shaped heads.
The most common tick in Opelika is the American Dog Tick, which has a paler brown body, and uses both humans and pets as a host. The Brown Dog Ticks are very specific to dogs, and unlike other species, they will sometimes leave their host and nest around the house. Deer Ticks are perhaps the most dangerous because they often spread Lyme’s Disease, but they are usually encountered in the woods and rarely make their way to manicured households. Ticks don’t latch onto their host forever, they only feed for a few days.
Fleas, by contrast, are parasites that feed indefinitely on their hosts. They grow anywhere between 1-10mm, have six spiny legs, and hard, bristly bodies. You will most likely find fleas living in the hairs of your pets, though they also find their way inside your home.
Though fleas and ticks are different types of pests, they are both hard to see, and both cause similar problems.
Problems Associated With Fleas & Ticks
All fleas and ticks pose grave concerns to the health of your household. These problems start simply by picking up one of these pests outdoors. They often wait to latch on to a host, then go unnoticed until they start spreading and reproducing around the home.
Not all bites result in diseases, but you won’t know you have an infection until you have a bite checked by a medical professional.
Depending on the species, tick bites can also cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, anaplasmosis, the Heartland virus, and other dangerous pathogens.
Fleas, by contrast, are responsible for transmitting the Black Plague, and can also transmit Typhus. No matter the pest, it’s best to prevent these problems before they happen.
Flea & Tick Prevention Tips
If you see the signs of a flea or tick bite, seek medical help immediately. Before an infestation happens, consider the following to keep your pets and family safe:
- Avoid tall grass, forests, and brush.
- Spray your clothing with permethrin. Do not spray on pets.
- Clean up brush, leaves, woodpiles, and cut tall grass around the yard.
- Check your clothing and pets for ticks when you come indoors, and be sure to shower right away.
If you find yourself dealing with ticks and fleas or are worried you have their bites, get rid of the problem pests for good by calling Opelika’s own Prewett Pest Control! They are ready to rescue your family from these pests and bring peace back to your home. Reach out today!