Mosquitoes, Fleas, and Ticks: How to Avoid These Parasites
websitebuilder • July 17, 2019
Summer brings warmth, barbecues, and days at the beach. It can also lead to evenings spent with itchy mosquito bites and combing through pets for ticks and fleas. One of the few downsides of summer is the return of these pests. The health risks and the misery of biting insects can leave people wishing for fall, but there are ways to reduce these annoyances.
Protect Your Pets
Many insects in the home arrive as hitchhikers on dogs and cats. Vet-approved preventatives work well to keep fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes away from animals. The topical or oral medications make the animals more comfortable and protect them from conditions like skin reactions, Lyme disease, and heartworms.
Many veterinarians recommended pet owners use the products all year. Ticks and mosquitoes may only appear during the warmest months, but fleas cause problems in any season. The number of fleas in a home can dwindle during the summer while a pet stays on preventatives but may not disappear entirely.
Fleas can survive up to three months without a blood meal. The female flea only needs to feed once off a pet to begin reproducing. Once the preventative on a pet wears off, any existing fleas that survived in the carpet or pet beds will start to bite again. An infestation could begin before the homeowner realizes the pests are in the house.
Protect Your Skin
Heavily scented products on the skin, hair, and clothing may attract mosquitoes, so avoid their use before attending outside events. Apply insect repellant as needed when outdoors; you should consider Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved formulas.
In addition, wear long pants and long sleeves in areas with high tick populations. Stay in the center of walking trails, and wear light-colored clothing for outside trips to make it easier to spot any ticks. Hats and long socks can make it more challenging for ticks to reach the skin. Remember to always inspect pets and people thoroughly after a day spent outside.
Permethrin-treated clothing can help to repel some mosquitoes and ticks. Some clothes come pre-treated, but products also exist for people to treat their own clothing, shoes, and camping gear at home. Never put the product on the skin and only spray clothing before wearing. Keep in mind, permethrin can cause hormonal disruptions if inhaled during use or if absorbed through the skin.
Protect Your Home
Fleas do not only come into homes on pets, but they can also arrive on the bodies of rodents as well. Close gaps that allow rodents into homes and remove debris in yards so they will not have a place to hide. Rodents often stop by because of the availability of food or water, so fix leaky hoses and put all pet and human food in sealed containers.
Reduce mosquito problems by removing any standing water around the yard. Consider placing fans around the yard during gatherings to deter some mosquitoes with the breeze. Burning bundles of sage in a firepit or other herbs like lavender or mint may also help. In addition, keep window and door screens repaired.
Long grass, leaf piles, and brush attract ticks so keep lawns clipped and raked around the home. Do not place play areas, swings, or picnic tables near tall grass or brush. You can discourage ticks from entering yards that border forested areas or fields with a stone or wood chip barrier. Use the same types of barriers between the grass and play spaces too.
The increase in diseases caused by fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes has alerted many Americans to the need to control the pests around their home. Sometimes the population of the insects is too massive to handle alone. At Anteater Pest Control Inc., we can help to make your yard safer and more enjoyable. Contact us to learn more about our services or to schedule a home visit.
At Anteater Pest Control , we get a lot of questions about a specific, red-and-black insect that seems to appear out of nowhere in massive clusters. If you’ve seen these bugs congregating on your siding or windowsills, you’re likely dealing with Boxelder bugs. While they aren’t the most destructive pests we deal with, their presence in large numbers can be a major nuisance. Here is everything you need to know about identifying, managing, and preventing Boxelder bugs. Identification: Is it a Boxelder Bug? Before you take action, you have to know what you’re looking at. Boxelder bugs (Boisea trivittata) are easily identified by a few key features: Color : Dark brownish-black with three distinct reddish-orange stripes on the thorax (the area behind the head). Shape : An elongated, flattened oval shape, roughly 1/2 inch long. Wings : They have overlapping wings that form a distinct "X" shape on their backs. Why Are They Choosing Your Home? Boxelder bugs are highly attracted to heat and light. They are often found on the south and west-facing walls of buildings because those surfaces absorb the most sunlight. Their primary food source is the seed of the Boxelder tree, though they also frequent Maple and Ash trees. If you have these trees on or near your property, your home is essentially a "luxury resort" for them—providing food nearby and a warm place to rest. The "Nuisance" Factor The good news? Boxelder bugs do not bite, they don’t sting, and they don’t carry diseases. They also won't eat your food or damage your furniture. However, they present two main problems: Staining : If crushed, their body fluids can leave a permanent reddish-orange stain on curtains, carpets, and upholstery. Odors : When threatened or squashed, they release a pungent, foul-smelling defensive odor. Professional Solutions When Boxelder bugs move from a few sightings to a full-scale invasion, DIY methods often fall short. Because these bugs can hide deep within wall voids, professional intervention is the most reliable way to create a lasting perimeter barrier. At Anteater Pest Control, we use targeted treatments to stop these pests before they find their way into your living space. We don't just treat the symptoms; we help you identify the entry points to keep your home secure. Is your home becoming a hangout for Boxelder bugs?
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