Missouri has it’s share of natural beauty, with plenty of heavily wooded areas and dense vegetation even in our most urban areas. This is good for the birds, bees and a multitude of other little friends that are necessary to a healthy environment. Unfortunately, it’s also good for our tick and flea population. Ticks and fleas are more than an annoyance to both pets and people, they are also carriers of serious diseases such as Plague, Typhus, Lyme’s Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Fleas
The most common species in Missouri is the cat flea, but we are also home to the dog, human and oriental rat flea. People tend to associate the plague with the middle ages, but it is still very much with us today. Rodents still serve as a reservoir for plague carrying organisms and fleas can still transmit this disease to humans. It is important to take the initiative and control these pests before they become a problem. You can enjoy a worry free summer and fall with a regular pest control maintenance program.
Ticks
The most common ticks in Missouri are the Lone Star Tick and the American Dog Tick. The Brown Dog Tick is also present, which can become an indoor pest when carried inside while attached to a dog. It’s very important to promptly remove a tick from the skin at first sight. If you spot a tick attached to your pet, use tweezers to grab the tick as close to the dog’s skin as possible. Use steady, even pressure to pull the tick off of the skin. Do NOT crush the tick, as the head may be left under the skin and it can cause serious illness. After removal wash the area with soap and water and sanitize the area with rubbing alcohol.
If you know that you have fleas and ticks in your area, the appropriate course of action is to get an effective medicine for your pets, and call Setgo Pest Control to treat your yard and exterminate fleas and ticks. The cost of a maintenance program is less than the cost of eliminating a serious, established infestation and many times less costly than an expensive vet bill to treat a sick pet. Our technicians are licensed, insured and knowledgeable and will ensure that you and your pets can enjoy your property without worrying about ticks or itchy, scratchy flea bites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do fleas feed on humans?
Fleas will feed on you when given the opportunity, but they won’t live on you as they do on our pets.
How do I get rid of a flea infestation in my house fast?
Vacuum thoroughly, clean and dry all your bedding and linens (flea-bitten or not) on high heat, and finish by calling a qualified pest control company to kill the remaining fleas.
How can I tell if I have a flea problem?
If you have fleas you’ll know it in short order. You’ll see small, wingless, dark insects with a hard carapace flitting here and there and you will suffer itchy red bites along your shins, ankles, and feet. A flea infestation will only get worse over time, so it’s important to call us as soon as you notice a problem.
How do fleas spread so fast?
Adult fleas generally won’t leave a host once they’ve established a population. They spread by dropping flea eggs in their environment (including carpeting), which hatch in as soon as one day. The new generation then finds their own host if one is available or attacks an already infected host. It takes very little time for fleas to spread from animal to animal and place to place.
Why call Setgo Pest Control?
Our technicians are trained and licensed to eliminate and prevent flea infestations, and we’ll keep coming back if necessary to ensure the job is done. When you’re ready to solve your flea and tick problem, call Setgo!