As the weather warms, pet owners nationwide are bracing themselves for flea and tick season. If you have ever dealt with a flea infestation, you know how important it is to protect your pets from these pesky critters. If you haven’t faced fleas and ticks, consider this a helpful warning.
“Pet owners should take special care to protect their pets from ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes this season,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). “These pests are not just an annoyance, but could pose serious health threats to your pet and your family.”
Indeed, these small bugs are no small concern. Fleas, for example, are known for biting, leaving behind itchy, red bumps that cause Fido to scratch excessively. Flea saliva can also cause conditions such as anemia and flea allergy dermatitis and can transfer tapeworms.
“Fleas are known for their quick breeding capabilities, and a tiny few on your pet can quickly turn into hundreds in your home if left unchecked,” says Henriksen.
Ticks can be equally as hazardous to family pets. Female ticks can attach near a pet’s spinal cord, causing “tick paralysis.” The condition causes muscle weakness, loss of coordination, and, in some cases, death from respiratory failure as chest muscles become paralyzed. And as dogs are more likely than humans to pick up ticks while outdoors, they are more likely to contract Lyme disease.
Mosquitoes also pose a threat to dogs as several species can be vectors of heartworm parasites, which are deposited as the mosquito feeds on the animal. Each year, thousands of dogs become disabled or die from problems caused by heartworm disease.
The NPMA recommends these tips to help reduce your pet’s exposure to fleas and ticks:
- Check pets frequently for ticks, fleas, and flea dirt. Be aware of excessiveÂ scratching, licking, and nibbling behavior in pets.
- Avoid walking the dogs in tall grass, where there is a greater chance of fleas hitchingÂ a ride.
- Avoid tick habitats such as low-growing brushy vegetation along the edge of the woodsÂ or a trail. Check pets after a walk near or in such areas.
- Bathe pets after walks or playtime with other animals.
- Frequently wash pet bedding, collars, and plush toys.
- Wash bed linens and vacuum carpets, floors, and furniture frequently. Empty vacuum bagsÂ in an outside receptacle.
If you suspect your home is infested with ticks or fleas, contact Pest Ops. To schedule an appointment, click here or call our office at (865) 966-0750.
April 10, 2013
As a pet owner, you know it is important to provide your pet with regular exercise, a nutritious diet, and lots of love and affection. But you also have a responsibility to protect your pet from health risks, such as those posed by pests.Â Ticks and fleas can make your pets â€” and you â€” sick and can lead to infestations in your home.
Ticks can be especially dangerous for pets, including animals that spend any amount of time outdoors, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and horses. As with humans, black legged deer ticks, which are most common in the Northeastern U.S. can transmit Lyme disease to some pets. In dogs, symptoms of Lyme disease can include fever, decreased appetite, swollen, painful joints, lameness or limping, lethargy, and swollen lymph nodes. In serious cases, pets with Lyme disease can develop kidney disease.
In addition to Lyme disease, ticks can also cause “tick paralysis” in pets. Tick paralysis occurs when a female tick attaches near a pet’s spinal cord, causing muscle weakness, loss of coordination, and in some cases, death from respiratory failure as chest muscles become paralyzed.
Pets that spend a lot of time outdoors, especially in wooded areas or tall grasses, are more susceptible to ticks. However, other animals can carry ticks into yards, allowing pets to pick them up without ever leaving your property. Ticks can then hitch a ride into your home on your pet, where they can bite humans and other pets.
Fleas are another common pest that can affect pets, especially cats and dogs. The most common species of fleas plaguing American homes and their domestic animals is the cat flea. Their bites can cause itchy, red bumps that lead to excessive scratching. Fleas can also cause conditions such as anemia and flea allergy dermatitis and can transfer tapeworms.
Adult fleas lay their eggs on their host, where they hatch and reproduce. Eggs can also roll off onto nearby surfaces such as carpets, couches, pet bedding, and anywhere else that a family pet has access to and particularly likes to lay.Â Fleas can be particularly hard to find since they are so small and move very fast along the surface of the skin.Â In addition to being hard to find, they breed fast. One adult flea can lay as many as 20 eggs per day, and the eggs typically hatch within 2 to 14 days. As a result, a flea infestation can grow quickly. A large infestation of fleas can be difficult and time consuming to eradicate. A flea infestation in your home should always be left to Pest Ops to handle. Our team of trained professionals has the knowledge, tools, and experience to treat the infestation safely and effectively.
Of course, the best way to protect your pets and your home from common household pests is to prevent an infestation before it ever happens. Luckily, there are many steps pet owners can take to protect their pets from pests like fleas and ticks:
- After walks or playtime outside, inspect your pet thoroughly.Â Brush their coat to remove any debris or insects. Be especially vigilant if your pet has been in wooded areas or high grasses, where pests thrive.
- Bathe dogs regularly, using a shampoo that can kill pests.
- Be on the lookout for skin irritations on your pet, such as bite marks or red, itchy skin. Excessive scratching is a good indicator that they have skin irritations.
- If your pet has long hair, consider having them groomed in the spring and summer, when ticks and fleas are most prevalent. Not only will this help to prevent insects from latching onto their long hair and help you to spot any that do, it will also help to keep your pet cool during the warmest time of the year.
- Consult with a veterinarian to determine if a preventative medicine is recommended for your pet.
- If you notice a change in your animal’s behavior, such as lack of appetite or decrease in energy, take them to your veterinarian ASAP. This could be a sign of Lyme disease or other health issue caused by pests.
- Wash your pet’s bedding, crate, toys, food bowls, and sleeping areas on a regular basis.
- Keep your home clean and clutter-free to deter pest infestations and make it easy to spot any pests that do find their way indoors. Vacuum frequently and wash linens on a regular basis.
- Keep your lawn cut short and gardens well maintained to prevent breeding grounds for pests. Fleas and ticks often hide out in tall grasses.
- If you find a tick on your pet, remove it immediately, being careful to extract the head and mouth parts completely. If your pet has fleas, bathe them and seek the consult of a veterinarian.
By following these tips and keeping your pet and your home pest free, you’ll help ensure that your pet has many happy, healthy years ahead of them.
If you suspect your home is infested with ticks or fleas, contact Pest Ops. To schedule an appointment, click here or call our office at (865) 966-0750.
April 3, 2013
When temperatures rise, families â€” including pets â€” flock outdoors to enjoy the spring weather. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) warns that fleas can cause significant health and property threats for homeowners and their pets.
Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of warm-blooded bodies and have an extraordinary ability to jump, allowing them to move easily once inside a property.
Although closely associated with pets, as flea saliva can cause anemia, dermatitis, and transfer tapeworms, these pests can cause significant problems for homeowners as well. Fleas often infest blankets, furniture, and even clothing, while also reproducing quickly, especially when warm-blooded hosts are present. Even more, the presence of fleas â€” if not brought in from the outdoors â€” can be indicative of a secondary pest problem as these pests frequently transport themselves on rodents.
“Fleas can pose serious threats to both health and property and as such, it is imperative that homeowners â€” and pet owners â€” be vigilant of these pests,” says Jim Fredericks, technical services director for NPMA. “These parasites have the keen ability to infest and reproduce quickly, which makes them difficult to eradicate. If you experience a flea infestation, it is essential to address the problem in a timely, professional manner.”
The NPMA offers homeowners the following tips to help protect their pets from flea infestations during the spring season:
- Check pets frequently for fleas and flea dirt, especially after being outdoors. Be aware of any excessive scratching, licking, or grooming behavior.
- Avoid walking pets in tall grass where fleas often gather.
- Treat your pet’s environment: Wash pet bedding, plush toys, and vacuum frequently.
- Check your pet (and yourself) thoroughly after you have been in known or potential flea-infested areas.
If you suspect a flea infestation, contact Pest Ops to rid your property of these unwanted pests and prevent future infestations. To schedule an appointment, click here or call our office at (865) 966-0750.
October 1, 2012
The fact remains… pests and rodents can have harmful effects upon your health and your family’s health. It is important to fully understand the dangers stemming from these types of infestations. Did you know that some of the most common pests in homes are cockroaches, rodents, and ants? It is unsettling to think of us sharing our homes with these pests because of the serious threats they pose. Below is a more detailed overview of the health risks associated with particular pests.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) reports that one-in-five children in the United States have severe sensitivities to cockroach allergens, which increase the severity of asthma symptoms. These allergens are most commonly introduced in homes through cockroach saliva, droppings, and the decomposing bodies of these pests. Cockroaches can also carry bacteria such as E coli and salmonella on their bodies, which can contaminate food, cooking equipment, and food surfaces.
Rodents can enter a building through almost any opening or crack. It is important to inspect for rodent droppings, especially in undisturbed areas such as pantries, under baseboards, and along walls. Rodent droppings most often cause allergic reactions in human beings but can also cause disease, including the potentially deadly Hantavirus. More frequently, though, rodents serve as vectors, carrying bacteria, such as salmonella, on their bodies and contaminating food sources, kitchen surfaces, and equipment.
With the increased prevalence of West Nile Virus in the summer months, mosquitoes continue to be, not only a summer nuisance pest but also, a major health threat. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), West Nile Virus infections have appeared across the United States in recent years, which makes avoiding mosquito nesting and breeding sites as well as eliminating standing water in or around the home even more important to the protection of public health. In addition, to the potential for West Nile Virus, mosquitoes can also cause itchy, unsightly marks and severe allergic reactions in human beings.
Lyme disease has emerged, in recent years, as a major health risk to human beings. Transmitted by ticks, typically between May and October, Lyme disease is largely found in the Northeastern, upper mid-western Western states of the U.S. However, there has been an increase in the diagnosed cases of Lyme disease in the South. It is critical to be vigilant of ticks, especially if you are in wooded areas. Symptoms of Lyme disease include a “bull’s eye” rash around the bite, flu-like symptoms and extreme fatigue.
Summer Stingers (Bees, Yellow Jackets, Hornets, Wasps, etc)
Stinging pests send more than 500,000 people to the emergency room each year. These pests are aggressive in nature and often sting as a way to protect their colonies or larvae from human beings who attempt to remedy an infestation on their own. This aggressiveness, combined with being disturbed, often means that these pests tend to sting repeatedly, which adds to the potential for greater skin irritation or a serious allergic reaction.
Ants are social insects. Therefore, spotting one ant unfortunately signifies there are many more to follow. Ants are not simply unsightly â€” they can also be dangerous contaminates to food. Considering that you likely eat multiple meals a day in your home, the presence of ants and the potential for food contamination from their presence is an issue that must be addressed when considering your health and the health of your family.
Fleas aren’t just a problem for man’s best friend. These pests, which commonly appear in warmer months, feed on the blood of any warm-blooded body. Typically biting human beings, fleas can cause itchy, unsightly marks as well as severe allergic reactions. Fleas tend to travel with mammals on the move, which can include not only you and your pet but also rodents. If you have a rodent problem in your home, fleas may be soon to follow.
Pest Ops can offer the necessary expertise and knowledge to best protect your health and to rid your home of infestations. If you have an infestation, be sure to take action! Contact Pest Ops to treat and to aid you in preventing future infestations. To schedule an appointment or inspection with Pest Ops, click here or call our office at (865) 966-0750.
September 3, 2012
Color:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Dark reddish-brown
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Size:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1/12 to 1/6-inch long
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Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of any warm-blooded body. The most common species is the cat flea, which often feasts on cats, dogs, and humans.
Fleas transport themselves on rodents and other mammals. They infest both household pests and wild animals. Fleas use their powerful legs to jump as high as 8 inches vertically and 16 inches horizontally.
Fleas usually remain on their warm-blooded hosts at all times. They can also be found on shoes, pant legs, or blankets, which can transfer the fleas to new environments. They are often found infesting opossums, raccoons, and skunks in urban settings.
Fleas are the most common transmitter of the rare Bubonic Plague. They also transmit the bacterial disease murine typhus to humans through infected rats. Their saliva can cause serious Flea Allergy Dermatitis in pets, and their debris has been reported to cause similar allergic reactions in humans. Fleas can also transfer tapeworms and cause anemia in pets. Flea bites commonly cause painful, itchy red bumps.
Due to the health risks posed by fleas, it is important that you do not attempt to control this pest on your own. Remain vigilant and if you suspect flea activity around your home, call Pest Ops to schedule an appointment. To contact us, click here or call Pest Ops at (865) 966-0750.
August 6, 2012
If you’re itching to rid your home of fleas, you may want to heed some expert advice. The first thing you should know is that it’s important to act fast. Infestations pop up quickly and can be very difficult to control once inside the home, says the National Pest Management Association.
Fleas are hungry parasites that feed on any warm-blooded body, so it’s easy for pets to bring them inside and spread them throughout the house â€” where they can then turn you into supper. It’s not healthy to live in a house with fleas; these pests have been known to transmit fatal diseases like the bubonic plague and the bacterial disease, murine typhus. However, it is more common for pets and people alike to suffer an allergic reaction to flea saliva, which can cause painful, itchy bumps on the skin.
Here are some flea-fighting tips from the National Pest Management Association:
â€¢ Keep your lawn groomed. Untended lawns provide hiding spots and food sources for rodents and other animals that fleas feed on.
â€¢ Fleas can hitch rides on rodents. If you notice a rodent problem on your property, fleas are just one more reason to call a licensed pest professional immediately to remedy the problem.
â€¢ Keep pets leashed while outside. Bathe and groom your pets regularly and use flea treatments as recommended by your veterinarian.
â€¢ Clean and vacuum your home frequently to help remove fleas.
â€¢ Getting rid of adult fleas alone will not solve your problem.
If you find adult fleas, then there may also be hundreds of eggs in your home. These eggs can take seven to 14 days to hatch and the infestation cycle will continue. Pest Ops can rid your home of both adult fleas and larvae. To schedule an appointment or inspection with Pest Ops, click here or call our office at (865) 966-0750.
Summer is the prime time for pet pests such as fleas, ticks, flies, and mosquitoes. Although animals tend to view pests as merely annoyances, they can pose substantial health risks to both the pets and their owners, warns the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).
“These pests are known to transmit some potentially serious diseases like West Nile Virus, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Lyme disease to animals and their human family,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “Dogs can also contract heartworms and disease through mosquito bites â€” an expensive illness to treat if it’s not detected early.”
Another major concern is property infestation. Pet pests can breed quickly and are difficult to locate once inside the home. “Fleas and ticks typically remain on the warm-blooded host. Yet, flea eggs roll off the host and hatch in carpets, furniture, and bedding,” says Henriksen. “The small size and mobility of these pests make them hard to eradicate without the help of a pest professional once inside the home.”
NPMA offers the following tips for pet owners during the summer months:
â€¢ Check your pet frequently for fleas, flea dirt, and ticks, especially after the animal has been outside. Keep an eye out for excessive scratching, licking, and nibbling grooming behavior in your pet.
â€¢ Avoid walking pets in tall grass where there is a greater chance of fleas and ticks hitching a ride.
â€¢ Eliminate sources of standing water in the yard, as these can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
â€¢ Talk with a veterinarian about prevention and treatment options available to pets and inquire about heartworm protection.
â€¢ Treat the animal’s environment. Wash pet bedding and plush toys and vacuum carpets frequently.
If you are concerned about your home and pets, contact Pest Ops to help prevent or treat infestations. To schedule an appointment or inspection with Pest Ops, click here or call our office at (865) 966-0750.