Ticks & Fleas
Understanding Ticks and Fleas
Ticks and fleas are common pests that can harm both humans and animals by feeding on their blood. In the Roanoke, Virginia area, the most prevalent types include blacklegged ticks (deer ticks), Lone Star ticks, American dog ticks, and cat fleas.
Ticks
Ticks are arachnids, closely related to spiders. They have eight legs, an oval body, and lack wings. Ticks use specialized mouthparts to latch onto their host’s skin and feed on blood. Their spiny bodies and legs ensure they remain attached to their hosts.
Fleas
Fleas are tiny, wingless insects with tough, flat bodies, making them resistant to being squished. They have powerful hind legs that enable them to jump significant distances, easily navigating through the fur of their hosts.
Health Dangers of Ticks and Fleas
Both ticks and fleas pose significant health hazards. Blacklegged deer ticks are notorious for spreading Lyme disease, while other ticks in Virginia can carry various tick-borne diseases. Fleas can transmit parasitic tapeworms and cause red, itchy rashes in allergic individuals. Severe flea infestations can lead to anemia and weakness in pets.
Why Are Ticks and Fleas a Problem?
Wild animals such as rodents, deer, raccoons, and skunks often bring ticks and fleas onto your property. These pests live most of their lives on their hosts and spread as these animals move around. Even if you don’t have pets, ticks and fleas can still invade your property and home, often entering through used rugs or furniture that harbor their eggs, larvae, or adults.
Where Are Ticks and Fleas Found?
Ticks typically hide in tall grass, dense vegetation, ditches, near ponds, or at the edge of wooded areas when not on a host. Most ticks do not breed or complete their life cycle indoors, so they seldom become an indoor problem. Fleas, when not on a host, usually reside in sandy areas and dark, moist places like under bushes, shrubs, woodpiles, or decks. Unlike ticks, fleas can thrive and breed indoors, making them particularly challenging to eliminate.
Eliminating Ticks and Fleas
For effective tick and flea control, partnering with a professional pest control service is essential. Moorman's Wildlife Management specializes in comprehensive tick and flea treatments to eradicate these pests and prevent their return. We proudly serve the Roanoke Valley, Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, Pennhook, Union Hall, Hardy, Wirtz, Rocky Mount, Ferrum, Bedford, Salem, Shawsville, Elliston, Hollins, Daleville, Cloverdale, Bonsack, Buchanan, Eagle Rock, Stewartsville, Blue Ridge, and beyond. Contact us today for more information or to schedule a free pest inspection
Preventing Ticks and Fleas
To minimize the risk of ticks and fleas infesting your property, consider these preventive measures:
- Inspect yourself, children, and pets for ticks and fleas after outdoor activities.
- Keep your grass short.
- Regularly wash pet bedding.
- Use year-round flea and tick control products for pets and maintain regular grooming.
- Remove bird feeders to avoid attracting wild animals.
- Avoid bringing used furniture or rugs into your home.
- Trim overgrown shrubs and bushes.
- Ensure trash cans and compost bins have tight-fitting lids.
Moorman's Wildlife Management is dedicated to keeping your home and property free from ticks and fleas with our thorough pest control services. Serving Roanoke Valley, Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, Wirtz, Hardy, Burnt Chimney, Huddleston, Vinton, and surrounding areas, we are your trusted partner in pest management
