Fleas and ticks are common parasites that can pose significant health risks to both humans and animals. Fleas are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of animals and, occasionally, humans. Ticks are arachnids that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and reptiles.
As you can see, fleas and ticks are more than mere pests; they pose serious health risks as well. Because of this, you need to act quickly when you see them in your home or yard or on your pets. Proactive prevention, early detection, and proper control measures are essential to keep you, your family, and your pets healthy.
At Magic City Pest Control, we offer comprehensive flea and tick control with various tick and flea treatments to fit your needs. Need help eradicating these tiny pests? Fill out the online form to get a quote for controlling fleas and prevent flea infestations in your Helena home.
Dangers of Flea Infestations in Helena, AL
Fleas can be more than just a nuisance. They can cause various health risks to humans, including the following:
- Allergic reactions. Some people may experience allergic reactions to flea bites, resulting in intense itching, redness, and swelling. In severe cases, this can lead to secondary infections from scratching.
- Diseases. Fleas are notorious for spreading the bubonic plague. While rare today, cases do still occur. Murine typhus is transmitted by fleas infected with Rickettsia typhi. It can cause symptoms like fever, headache, and rash. Fleas can transmit the bacterium Bartonella henselae to cats, which can then infect humans through scratches or bites, causing swollen lymph nodes and fever.
Fleas can also pose health risks to pets, such as the following:
- Anemia. Severe flea infestations can cause significant blood loss in pets, leading to anemia, especially in young or small animals.
- Tapeworms. Pets can become infected with tapeworms by ingesting fleas carrying tapeworm larvae during grooming.
- Flea allergy dermatitis. Many pets are allergic to flea saliva, resulting in intense itching, skin irritation, and hair loss.
If you need to prevent flea infestations and tick prevention, we also recommend flea collars to prevent flea eggs from going into your pet’s fur.
Dangers of Tick and Flea Bites
Ticks are vectors for many serious diseases. They can pose health risks to humans, such as the following:
- Lyme disease. This is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, leading to symptoms like rash, fever, fatigue, and joint pain. If left untreated, it can cause serious neurological and cardiac issues.
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. This is transmitted by the Rickettsia rickettsii bacterium, causing high fever, headache, rash, and potentially life-threatening complications.
- Ehrlichiosis. This is caused by various Ehrlichia species, leading to symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches.
- Babesiosis. This is a malaria-like illness caused by Babesia parasites, resulting in fever, chills, and anemia.
- Anaplasmosis. This is caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, leading to symptoms like fever, headache, and muscle aches.
- Tick paralysis. This is a rare condition where toxins released by certain tick species cause muscle weakness and paralysis, which is reversible upon tick removal.
Ticks can cause health risks to pets as well, including:
- Lyme disease. This disease affects dogs, leading to symptoms like fever, lameness, kidney problems, and joint swelling.
- Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis. These diseases can cause fever, lethargy, weight loss, and bleeding disorders in pets.
- Babesiosis. This can lead to anemia, weakness, and jaundice in infected animals.
- Tick paralysis. Similar to humans, pets can suffer from paralysis caused by tick toxins.
Flea and Tick Control in Helena, AL
The first step in preventing fleas and ticks is to target your pets. Some popular treatment options include the following:
- Topical treatments. These are applied directly to the pet’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. They provide protection for a month by killing fleas and ticks on contact.
- Oral medications. Chewable tablets are popular. These work by making your pet’s bloodstream toxic to fleas and ticks. They usually provide protection for a month, but some options last longer.
- Collars. Flea and tick collars release active ingredients that spread over your pet’s skin and fur, killing and repelling fleas and ticks. They typically last for several months.
- Shampoos and sprays. Medicated shampoos can kill fleas and ticks on contact, but they need to be used regularly and may not provide long-term prevention. Sprays can be used on both pets and the environment to kill and repel fleas and ticks.
You can also treat your home and yard by doing the following:
- Home treatments. Vacuuming regularly, washing pet bedding in hot water, and using sprays or powders to treat carpets, furniture, and other areas where pets spend time can help control fleas and ticks.
- Yard treatments. Applying tick and flea control products to your yard, especially in shady, moist areas where fleas and ticks thrive, can reduce the population in outdoor spaces.
How Magic City Pest Control Can Help
We can eradicate fleas and ticks from your home in several steps. Here’s a look at the process:
- Inspection and identification. We will start by inspecting your home and yard to determine the extent of the infestation and to identify the sources of the problem.
- Treatment plan. Based on the inspection, the exterminator will create a tailored treatment plan that addresses both the immediate problem and any potential for re-infestation.
- Chemical treatments. The exterminator will apply insecticides that are specifically formulated to kill fleas and ticks. These treatments are typically applied to commonly infested areas such as carpets, furniture, and pet bedding. Residual insecticides may be used to provide ongoing protection.
- Outdoor treatment. If the infestation extends outside, the exterminator will treat your yard and any outdoor areas where fleas and ticks may be breeding. This often involves applying insecticides to the grass, shrubs, and around the perimeter of the home. To prevent the growth of new fleas and ticks, larvicides may be applied to areas where eggs or larvae are present.
Contact Us Today for Flea and Tick Extermination in Helena, AL
Fleas and ticks can ravage your home, yard, and pets. Magic City Pest Control can help you get these tiny insects under control.
Choose Magic City Pest Control to protect your home and business in Helena. You might be able to treat a few fleas and ticks on your own, but if you’re dealing with a major infestation, you need the help of a professional flea and tick exterminator. To schedule an inspection, contact us today by calling (205) 880-4466 or filling out the online form.