Fleas & Ticks

Cat Flea – Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche).  The cat flea is the most common flea on domestic dogs and cats as well as most wildlife found in urban areas.  Fleas can transmit tapeworms to animals.  The adult fleas are almost always found on animals, as their only food source is the blood of the animal.  They are flattened from side to side when viewed from above and this shape enables them to move through the hair of the animal very quickly.  The other stage of development (eggs, larvae and pupae), occur off the animal.  Some people are more sensitive to flea bites than others.  Some animals are also this way.  Fleas can build up large numbers in some areas causing extreme discomfort to people and pets.  A thorough treatment of all the places where animals frequent needs to be done to ensure adequate control.  Inside and outside treatments may be necessary.  Click here for a FREE pest control consultation or call 1-855-PEACHTREE (732-2487).

Brown Dog Tick – Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille).  The brown dog tick is one of the most common ticks encountered on animals of all types both domesticated and undomesticated.  When the tick takes a blood meal from an animal and is full, it typically drops off the animal and can be found in areas frequented by the animal such as inside structures.  They are flat, uniformly red in color and have pits scattered over the entire surface of the back.  Males do not become enlarged when feeding as do the females.  Click here for a FREE pest control consultation or call 1-855-PEACHTREE (732-2487).