Signs of a Flea or Tick Infestation

When you think of fleas or ticks, you likely think of your pets. This is because these parasitic pests frequently go after dogs, cats, and other animals. However, they can be quite a nuisance for people, as well. In order to avoid dealing with either ticks or fleas, it’s important to know how to recognize the signs of their activity. More often than not, the signs of fleas or ticks can be seen on your pets: odd behavior, excessive scratching habits, and even welts on their skin.

Here at Leo's Pest Control, we know how distressing it can be to deal with either of these pests. Our experts are here to help you learn how to recognize the signs of a flea or tick infestation in your Bristol and Johnson City home.

Can You See Fleas or Ticks?

Fleas and ticks are both minuscule insects. In fact, neither get to be any bigger than about 1/8″. That said, you can still see fleas and ticks if you know what you are looking for. The easiest thing to do is to look for the signs of their activity. Some of the top signs of ticks or fleas are as follows: 

1. Adult fleas on your pets, which are often grouped together and hidden in the hind legs, head, or neck. Ticks are often in the same locations but are found alone.
2. If your pet has fleas, they may exhibit strange behavior including scratching, hair loss, restlessness, and bumps on their skin.
3. Signs of a tick bite include the telltale red bull’s eye rash around the spot of the bite. Sometimes the tick can still be seen in the skin.
4. Flea dirt can also occasionally be seen on pets—these feces look like small specks of black pepper.
5. Flea eggs can easily fall off and become hidden in rugs, carpets, bedding, and gaps in floorboards. Flea eggs are very small, about 0.5 mm long, oval, and white.

How to Check For Fleas or Ticks

If you suspect you have an infestation, it’s important to learn how to check for signs of fleas or ticks. If you think your pets have one of these pests somewhere on them, carefully part their fur to expose the skin. From there, look for red, bumpy skin. Also, look for signs of the tiny pests themselves—ticks will be burrowed in the skin while adult fleas could scamper or even jump when exposed. An additional way to check for fleas or ticks is to take a bright flashlight and magnifying glass to look in a number of areas, including the following:

• Pet bedding and/or crates: If your cat or dog carried fleas or ticks inside, they could be in their bedding.
• Upholstered furniture: Look in the seams and cushions of your couches, beds, and more for signs of ticks or fleas.
• Entryways and baseboards: Ticks sometimes crawl in through windows and doors, and will linger around baseboards.

What to Do If You Have Fleas in Your House

If you can’t seem to deal with the fleas or ticks in your home on your own, it’s time to call in the experts. It can be very difficult to find signs of these parasitic pests until an infestation has occurred. A professional flea and tick exterminator can help look for signs of these pests in your home. For same-day flea or tick infestation removal, contact the team at Leo's Pest Control!