Signs of a Flea or Tick Infestation

If you have pets, you’ve likely experienced a flea or tick problem at one point or another. In addition to being a pain to deal with, these insects can be dangerous for pets and humans alike. To prevent an infestation, it’s important to know how to look for the signs of ticks or fleas in your home. While these signs often manifest on your dogs or cats, there are other signs to be aware of as well.

At The Bug Man, we are committed to keeping homes and businesses safe from the sangers of parasitic pests. Read on to learn how to recognize the signs of a flea or tick infestation in your Central TN home.

Signs of Flea Activity

Fleas are minuscule pests most known for being troublesome on your pets! Some of the main signs of fleas to keep your eyes peeled for include:

• Seeing actual adult fleas on your pets, which are often grouped together and hidden in the hind legs, head, or neck.
• If your pet has fleas, they may exhibit strange behavior including scratching, hair loss, restlessness, and bumps on their skin.
• Flea dirt can also occasionally be seen—these feces look like small specks of black pepper.
• 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 Look for the Signs of Ticks

Signs of ticks often appear when tick bites have occurred. When they’ve found a host to feed on, ticks use their piercing mouthparts to first inject an anesthetic, which is why most people don’t feel the bite of a tick. As the tick fills with blood, it will eventually fall off its host. If a tick is found before it feeds, it can be removed with tweezers. Signs of tick bites include the telltale red bull’s eye rash around the spot of the bite. While most people recover from tick bites quickly, they can transmit dangerous diseases and should always be treated by a medical professional.

Think You Have a Flea or Tick Infestation?

If you are dealing with endless tick or flea problems, 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. Get in touch with us today to get started!