Fleas and ticks should always be on your radar as a pet owner. Fleas and ticks are on the prowl year-round, but amp up their activity as temperatures start to rise. Certain areas of the United States are more prone to having flea and tick problems. Generally, flea and tick season starts in early to mid-spring. In the south, states experience flea and tick season year-round. When handling ticks and fleas, the best strategy is prevention and always checking your pet out after a day of running around. Our overnight dog boarding South Jersey experts provided some important details to keep in mind.
Fleas & Ticks Can Cause Serious Problems
Fleas and ticks are two of the largest transmitters of disease in the world. Fleas and ticks operate by jumping from host to host to collect nutrients for themselves. They latch on and can be very difficult to spot due to how small they are. If proper precautions and checks are taken, fleas and ticks are not an issue. However, unforeseen circumstances do happen. In some cases, fleas and ticks can cause serious health conditions. Both parasites have the ability to spread damaging diseases such as anemia, Lyme disease, tapeworm, and bacterial skin problems. Ticks and fleas can affect owners as well.
Fleas Are More Mobile Than Ticks
Fleas are able to move quickly from host to host where ticks hide in certain areas to latch on. Fleas cannot fly, but they are able to jump very fast and far. Like ticks, fleas survive by feeding and reproducing from the blood of their host. Fleas are able to stay at different parts of their life cycle before searching for a host. Many fleas can stay in their child stage before emerging as an adult to search for a host. Fleas reproduce very quickly and in large numbers. A single flea can cause a house infestation within a day or two. A flea infestation can be a very costly, drawn-out situation to get rid of.
Ticks Live In Your Yard
Generally, ticks won’t ever just wander into your home. Ticks live outside in an environment where it is warm and humid. Ticks tend to latch onto tall plants and grass in wooded areas. Tall grass and brush tend to be a safe resting spot for them but are also a spot that your dog might want to hang out. A homeowner should keep grass and brush clear when tick season begins to make sure ticks are deterred from hiding in your yard.
Seasonal Temperatures And Prevention
As mentioned, fleas and ticks prefer humid and hot areas. The humid and hot seasons promote growth for these annoying pests so it is important to have to be extra vigilant when the seasons change. Certain species of fleas and ticks can survive into the first few weeks of the colder months as well. Your best bet is to invest in year-round flea and tick medication that prevents ticks from latching on to your pets. Most medications are very easy to use and comfortable for your pet. The most popular brands are soothing creams you rub on your pet’s lower neck.
If you have any questions about fleas and ticks, reach out to Halo House Animal Resort at 856-694-0980!