Fleas and ticks aren’t just a concern for pet owners. These devious parasites can infest areas that lack animals, and nearly everyone can fall victim to their bites. As outdoor recreation reaches its peak this year, more and more people are risking exposure to these parasites. Knowing how to prevent their bites is about more than stopping an itch -- it could even save you a hospital trip.

Ticks & Fleas: Quite Different, Both Troublesome

We tend to talk about fleas and ticks in the same breath because they behave so similarly. Both are small insects that cling to skin and fur to feed off the blood of larger animals. As such, they are both terrible purveyors of diseases, and can often accompany other pests and wildlife that wander onto a property. However, fleas and ticks look quite different, and spotting them can be difficult, so it pays to know what you’re looking for:

Fleas:

Shape: If viewed under a microscope, fleas wouldn’t look like they move as fast as they do. They are bulbous in shape and have even tinier legs tucked under their already tiny bodies. As insects, they have six legs and tiny antennae.
Size: Fleas are small creatures, able to hide in thick fur or hair and the folds of skin. They are typically smaller than a sesame seed.
Color: Fleas are dark or light brown, which can make them nearly impossible to spot on dark surfaces.

Ticks

Shape: Unlike fleas, ticks aren’t insects. They are actually arachnids, making them related to spiders and granting them eight legs instead of six. They are often splayed out, crab-like, around their bodies, with longer pincers on the fronts of their faces.
Size: Ticks, like fleas are tiny. Females are larger than males, however, and are the ones that are known to bite people and pets.
Color: Depending on the type and gender of a tick, it could have drastically different coloration's. However, they tend to be dark brown colored, and some have white or lighter colored spots on their backs.

The Problems Of An Infestation

Fleas and ticks can be introduced into a home or business in many ways, including on infested animals or items. Clothing, old furniture, pets, and even other pests like rodents can bring them inside. Once inside, their populations can quickly grow out of hand, and the itchy red welts left behind after feedings are unpleasant to say the least. While their bites are certainly a downside of their presence, fleas and ticks can both carry dangerous diseases, which is an even more serious problem that can accompany an infestation.

Flea & Tick Prevention

To them out, there are several things that responsible people, especially pet owners, should do if they are going to prevent an outbreak of fleas or ticks:

Clothing: When going outside, particularly in parks or trails with a lot of vegetation, it’s important to wear clothes that will cover your skin. Long sleeves and pants are better, and carefully inspecting for holes or tears is important.
Inspection: When you or your loved ones, especially pets, come back from a stint outdoors, it’s important to thoroughly inspect all over. Use a fine-toothed comb and check in skin folds.
Treatments: Store-bought and vet-approved products can provide temporary protection against fleas and ticks when traveling outside. Professional lawn treatments can keep your property protected as well.

The Professionals Can Protect You

Rather than have to be paranoid every time you step out of your own home, it’s better to partner with professionals who know everything there is to know about proper flea and tick prevention. At Prosite, we can provide you with more advice or assistance on how you can keep yourself, your pets, and your property protected. And, if an infestation is already taking hold, we can eliminate the problem before it gets out of hand.

Don’t let you or your loved ones suffer from the itchy consequences, or worse, that can come with fleas and ticks. Contact Prosite today.