Flea and Tick Control
Are you sick of fleas and ticks taking over your home? Call us at (205) 880-4466 to learn about our flea and tick extermination services today.
Fleas and ticks may seem like pests that only affect your cats and dogs, but these pests can get into your yard or home and wreak havoc. While fleas and ticks don’t cause structural damage to buildings, unlike termites, they can multiply rapidly, infesting the interior of your home. Their eggs, larvae, and pupae can settle into carpets, furniture, and bedding, making them difficult to eliminate.
Flea and tick bites are itchy and can cause rashes. These bites can also cause allergies and diseases. Preventing and controlling flea infestations is important to avoid these risks. Regular flea treatment and flea extermination for pets and proper home hygiene can help keep fleas and flea eggs at bay.
Still, fleas and ticks can get into your yard or home, causing a lot of stress and anxiety for you and your household and family members. Count on a comprehensive Alabama flea exterminator at Magic City Pest Control in Huntsville, AL for flea and tick extermination and other pest services. Our trusted flea and tick exterminators can help you take back your Huntsville home and yard and give you peace of mind with our tick and flea treatments.
Dangers of Fleas and Ticks in Huntsville, AL
Fleas can pose several risks to both pets and humans:
- Bites and skin irritation. Flea bites cause itching and irritation, which can lead to skin infections if scratched excessively from these itchy bites.
- Allergic reactions, Some animals and humans can develop an allergic reaction to flea saliva, leading to a condition known as flea allergy dermatitis. This can cause severe itching, redness, and hair loss.
- Disease transmission. Fleas are known carriers of various diseases. They can transmit Bartonella henselae, the bacterium that causes cat scratch disease, as well as Rickettsia typhi, responsible for murine typhus. Fleas can also transmit the plague and tapeworms to pets and occasionally to humans.
- Anemia. In severe infestations, particularly in young or small animals, fleas can consume enough blood to cause anemia, which can be life-threatening if not treated.
- Tapeworms. Pets, particularly dogs and cats, can ingest fleas while grooming. If the flea is carrying the larval stage of the tapeworm, the pet can become infected with tapeworms.
Dangers of Ticks and Fleas
Ticks are more dangerous than fleas. They can cause medical issues such as the following:
- Lyme disease. This is one of the most common and serious tick-borne diseases. It can lead to symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, and skin rashes. If untreated, it can cause joint pain, neurological problems, and other severe complications.
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. It can cause symptoms such as fever, headache, and a spotted rash. If not treated early, it can be fatal.
- Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis. These diseases are caused by bacteria transmitted by ticks. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches.
- Babesiosis. This is a malaria-like illness that causes symptoms such as fever, chills, and fatigue. It can be severe in people with compromised immune systems.
- Powassan virus. This is a rare but serious viral infection that can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord).
- Tick paralysis. In rare cases, a neurotoxin produced in the saliva of certain ticks can cause paralysis in the lower body. Removing the tick usually leads to recovery.
- Allergic reactions. Some people may have allergic reactions to tick bites, resulting in swelling, itching, or more severe reactions.
- Infection. The tick bite can introduce bacteria into the skin, leading to local infections. Symptoms might include redness, swelling, and pus formation at the site of the bite.
Flea and Tick Prevention
Preventing fleas in your home is important for maintaining a healthy environment for both pets and humans. Here are some effective strategies for flea prevention:
- Proper pet care. Regularly inspect your pets, especially after outdoor activities, to catch any fleas early. Apply flea preventatives regularly, such as flea collars, topical treatments, or oral medications. Bathe your pets with flea shampoo and brush them with a flea comb to remove any fleas or eggs.
- Clean your home. Regular cleanings can eradicate fleas. Vacuum carpets, rugs, and furniture regularly. Fleas and their eggs often hide in these areas. Dispose of the vacuum bag or empty the canister outside immediately after use. Wash your pet’s bedding and any other fabric your pet frequently uses in hot water at least once a week. Steam cleaning can kill fleas and their eggs embedded in carpets and upholstery.
- Use flea control products. Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic powder that can be sprinkled on carpets and pet bedding. It kills fleas by dehydrating them. You can also use flea traps in areas where you suspect flea activity.
- Maintain your yard. Treat your yard with flea control products, especially areas where your pet spends time. Keep your lawn trimmed and remove debris where fleas can hide. Keep your yard free of wild animals that can carry fleas by securing garbage and avoiding leaving food outside.
- Treat infestations promptly. If you notice a flea infestation, act quickly. Use a combination of the above methods and consider contacting a professional pest control service if the infestation is severe. Exterminators will use effective, heavy-duty products to get rid of your flea infestations. They may use insect growth regulators like methoprene or pyriproxyfen to disrupt the flea life cycle by preventing larvae from developing into adult fleas. There are insecticides specifically designed to kill adult fleas. Exterminators may use sprays, powders, or foggers that contain chemicals like permethrin or imidacloprid. Exterminators will focus on treating areas where fleas are most likely to thrive, such as carpets, rugs, furniture, and pet bedding. They may also treat cracks, crevices, and baseboards where flea larvae may hide.
Contact Us Today for Flea and Tick Control Services in Huntsville, AL
Call us for Your Flea and Tick Control Needs
Fleas and ticks are annoying pests that can cause itchy skin, irritation, stress, and serious diseases. With professional Huntsville flea and tick control from the pest control specialists at Magic City Pest Control, you can get flea and tick infestations under control quickly.
Dealing with fleas and ticks is no small matter. Call a professional exterminator at Magic City Pest Control in Huntsville, AL and let us administer treatment and take care of them and other pests for you. Call (205) 880-4466 to schedule an inspection today.