Fleas & Ticks In Houston, TX

Fleas and ticks are ectoparasites that feed on the blood of dogs, cats, rodents, wild animals, and people. Both fleas and ticks are prevalent pests in West Houston as our hot, humid weather allows them to build large, booming populations. 

Fleas

Fleas are wingless insects that are no bigger than a speck of dirt but have an impressive jump because of their large back legs. They live their short (two to three months) adult lives on the backs of their animal hosts, moving wherever their host takes them. Unfortunately, fleas can breed in outdoor and indoor spaces, making them a threat in our yards and homes. 

Fleas are tiny, wingless insects. Their body is flattened from side to side and covered in a hard shell. They are typically a reddish-brown color.

Ticks

Ticks are not insects; they are arachnids. They have a four-stage life cycle that can take many years to complete. They require a blood meal from a new host at each unique life stage. After feeding, they drop to the ground. Ticks are mainly a threat outside in our yards as most species cannot breed indoors. 

Ticks are oval in shape and range in color (black, brown, reddish, grayish). As ticks feed, their body expands in size. Like other arachnids, adults have eight legs. 

Fleas and ticks pose health risks to people, and limiting your contact with these blood-feeding pests is always best. 

Ticks are vectors of serious pathogens that can make people ill. While the spread of disease by fleas isn’t a big threat in the U.S., fleas can infect people with disease-causing pathogens that have the potential to make us sick. 

Flea bites are itchy, and individuals with a severe allergy often develop flea allergy dermatitis. In both people and animals, scratching at flea bites leads to scabbing and scarring. 

The bites delivered from both fleas and ticks create openings in the skin of people or animals that can lead to secondary infections. 

Ticks and fleas can become a problem on any of our properties. These pests don’t generally find their way into our yards independently. Their wild animal hosts introduce them. As mice, squirrels, rabbits, skunks, deer, and other wildlife travel across our properties, they introduce fleas and ticks to different outdoor spaces, including our backyards. 

Fleas often become a problem in our homes when they hitchhike their way inside with the help of a person, pet, or wild animal intruder. 

Ticks are most prevalent in areas where wild animals live, like wooded areas, meadows, fields, and other areas of dense vegetation. After feeding, full ticks will drop to the ground until ready for their next meal. Ticks hang out in damp, dark places like under leaves, shrubbery, or within tall grass. When ready to feed, they will crawl to the top of a blade of grass or another plant, where they wait for a host to brush past them. 

Fleas mate on the backs of their animal hosts, and their eggs roll to the ground, where they develop into new adults. Like ticks, fleas prefer to hang out in damp, dark areas until a new host comes by that they can jump on. Spaces under decks, under dense shrubbery, in the grass, and wherever pets hang out are typical flea hot spots. Fleas hang out in rugs, upholstered furniture, bedding, and folded linens inside our homes. 

Don’t let fleas and ticks live rent-free in your yard or home for another day. Partner with us at Samson Pest and Termite Services to provide the pest control services necessary to control these unwanted, dangerous pests.

We are local professionals dedicated to providing our customers with the best pest control services in West Houston. Our ongoing pest control solutions will eliminate your current problems with fleas and ticks and ensure they won’t return in the future. If your need help ridding your property of fleas or ticks, don’t hesitate to reach out today!

Use the following helpful tips to help make your property less attractive to fleas and ticks.

• Remove standing water, open trash cans, pet food, and bird feeders from your yard that will attract flea and tick-covered animals to your property. 
• Keep the grass in your yard cut short.
• Remove leaf piles and woodpiles from your yard that provide shady, damp areas for fleas and ticks to gather.
• Seal openings in your home’s exterior that could allow rodents and other small wild animals to move into your home.

Protect your West Houston property from fleas and ticks by giving Samson Pest and Termite Services a call now!