Ah, spring. That wonderful time of year when the flowers are blooming, the days are warmer and your pets start scratching. A little itch can quickly turn into an all-out flea and tick invasion. For most pet owners, the arrival of spring not only makes your skin crawl, but your wallet weep as well from vet visits. No furry pet is immune to these little bloodsucking insects, but there are ways to keep fleas and ticks from invading your home.
Were you aware that a flea can lay between 30 and 50 eggs a day? That is a very busy little flea. It’s a wonder how she can take the time out to nibble on anything, let alone feast on your pet. But, with that many eggs lying about, there’s bound to be just as many fleas ready to hatch. When they hatch, these fleas are going to be hungry and you better believe that you and your pet are on their menu.
Both Pose a Threat
Now, it wouldn’t be so bad if fleas and ticks simply took a little nip and were on their way. No, ticks especially are notorious for spreading Lyme disease to its victims. Lyme disease is one of the most commonly spread diseases from tick bites. And not only can your pet be affected by Lyme disease, you can be too. It can cause lameness that could be accompanied by a fever, lethargy and possibly extreme weight loss.
Ehrlichiosis is another disease that is spread by tick bites. It too can cause you and your pet a lot of medical issues. Ehrlichiosis attacks and kills your white blood cells. Without white blood cells, it’s harder to fend off diseases. It can also cause weight loss, anemia, enlarged lymph nodes and spleen.
If that isn’t enough to cause your skin to crawl, try Meningoencephalitis on for size. It may look like a mouthful to say, but this tick born disease can prove deadly. You may know it better as meningitis. It’s an inflammatory disease that infects the brain and spinal cord. The infection causes a loss of nervous system functions and is often fatal if left untreated.
Okay, that’s just ticks. Fleas are harmless, right? WRONG! Fleas pose the same kinds of threats to your pets as ticks. Have you ever heard of cat scratch fever? It’s more than a catchy song from 1977. Its’ scientific name is actually Bartonella, a parasite, and is transmitted by both fleas and ticks. Those nasty creatures are ganging up on us! The parasite invades red blood cells and uses the cell’s membrane as protection while multiplying. Clever, but not very nice. It can cause Lymphoma, eye issues, brain disorders, inflammatory bone diseases, and possibly death.
The Upside
The upside of fleas, they can transmit tapeworms. Upside? What good comes of a parasite that causes nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss and vitamin and mineral deficiencies? Well… the fact you may never know you or your pets have one unless one happens to appear in a bowel movement. Like other parasites, they too can cause a lot of medical issues to your liver, eyes, heart, and brain. So, there really is no upside to any type of parasite, regardless if you notice them or not.
Prevention
Enough, already! Fleas and ticks are simply bad news. So how can you prevent them from invading your home and keep them far away from you and your pets? For starters:
- Clear away any dead or tall grass from around your property. Fleas and ticks love to hide in dark areas.
- Keep tight lids on trash cans to prevent wild creatures from entering your yard. Rats, squirrels, raccoons and other wild animals often carry fleas and ticks.
- Use flea and tick sprays around the outside and inside of your home.
- Talk to your vet about medications that can prevent your pet from being attacked by fleas and ticks.
- Limit your pet’s interaction with other people’s pets.
If blood sucking insects are really ticking you off, then it’s time to call a professional before you’re forced to flea from your own home. AIPM is owned and operated by University graduates who majored in Biology and Pest Management. They know how to handle all types of skin-crawling insect problems. They can eliminate the threats to your property while setting up a custom plan to ensure that you never have to face the same type of infestation again. Click here to request a free estimate today.
Sources:
- https://www.fleabites.net/flea-and-tick-season-is-here-be-prepared/
- https://www.cuteness.com/article/flea-season
- https://www.vetinfo.com/7-diseases-spread-by-fleas-and-ticks.html
- https://www.columbia-lyme.org/patients/tbd_bartonella.html
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/nervous_system_disorders/herpes_meningoencephalitis_134,27
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