Flea And Tick Identification & Prevention
Avoiding Flea And Tick Infestations In Elk Grove, CA
Contrary to common belief, fleas and ticks aren't just pests your dogs and cats have to deal with. These external parasites are just as happy feeding on you. It's also a lot easier to wind up with a breeding population of fleas and ticks on your property than you might think. You don't even need pets! That's why you have to be vigilant and protect yourself from fleas and ticks, even if you don't have a cat or a dog.
A member of our team will be in touch shortly to confirm your contact details or address questions you may have.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fleas and Ticks
What are fleas and ticks?
.2402220657550.jpg)
Fleas and ticks are not related to each other. They don't even look the same. The former is an insect, while the latter is an arachnid. Fleas are agile and athletic, while ticks can barely crawl. Fleas only feed on you for a quick minute, while ticks have to be embedded for days to get a full meal.
The one thing these two very different pests have in common is that they are both external parasites. They both feed on your blood, and they both do so by biting you. So even though they're very different pests, they are after the same thing.
Here is a brief description of the fleas and ticks in our area to help you identify them:
- Fleas: These tiny parasitic pests are typically a reddish-brown color with flat bodies and long hind legs.
- American dog ticks: The largest tick species on this list, American dog ticks are brown, oval-shaped arachnids that can be identified by the white or gray markings on their bodies. These ticks measure 3/16 of an inch before eating or 5/8 of an inch after feeding.
- Brown dog ticks: Before feeding, these ticks are reddish-brown with flat, oval-shaped bodies. After consuming a blood meal, their bodies become round and turn more of a grayish-blue color.
- Western black-legged ticks: Also called deer ticks, these ticks are about 1/8 of an inch long with flat orangish-brown bodies and dark legs. This tick species is commonly associated with Lyme disease.
If you think you're dealing with any of these biting insects on your property, reach out to Bell Pest Control right away for assistance with pest control in Elk Grove.
Are fleas and ticks dangerous?
Where Will I Find Fleas and Ticks?
Fleas and ticks can hide in lots of different areas, but there are a few places you're more likely to find them. Fleas nest in areas with lots of hiding spots, such as carpets, shrubs, plush furniture, high grass, and even your pets' fur. Ticks, meanwhile, hide in places like bushes, grass, tree branches, and thick brush. You may find fleas inside or outside, while you're much more likely to find ticks outside.
How do I get rid of fleas and ticks?
It's not easy to get rid of ticks or fleas on your own. Foggers and dusts typically barely make a dent in breeding populations of these parasites. This means the best thing you can do if you wind up with an infestation is to call residential pest control professionals for help.
-
"Very knowledgable!"
Thank you for sending Ryan! He answered our questions and was very professional and knowledgeable! He is great!
- Isabelle G. -
"Bell Pest Control is great! We switched to them from another provider, and they have been way better. Matt N. is our guy, and he always does a great job. Highly recommended."- Charles L.
-
"Very friendly & helpful"
Sean performed our home service today 2/9/24. He was very friendly and helpful in making sure his service addressed the norms ...
- Craig C.
