Flea & Tick Control
Fleas and Ticks
A Comprehensive Guide from Baltimore, MD’s Premier Pest Control Team
Fleas and ticks are among the most dangerous ectoparasites in Maryland. They feed on the blood of larger organisms such as pets and wildlife and can carry a large number of pathogens. Ensuring that your property is free of fleas and ticks is essential for all those on it. Here at All Star Pest Management, we provide comprehensive tick and flea control and prevention services for homeowners and business owners in Columbia, MD and the surrounding region. Read on to learn more about fleas and ticks, and contact our team today!
Fleas
Fleas are small, flightless insects that live by consuming the blood of their hosts. Their small, sideways bodies and powerful legs allow them to burrow through the fur or hair of a larger animal and attach themselves to its skin. Once attached, a flea’s powerful jaws will allow it to stay lodged and sucking blood until moving on. Fleas can jump distances of over 50 times their body length, enabling them to migrate from host to host with relative ease. For homeowners with outdoor pets, this can mean a heightened risk of flea problems in the home.
Ticks
Like fleas, ticks are ectoparasites that feed on the blood of larger hosts to stay alive. Ticks are arachnids and belong to one of two major families: Ixodidae (hard ticks), and Argasidea (soft ticks). Unlike fleas, ticks do not possess jumping abilities and instead wait in long grass or other densely vegetated areas to attach themselves to hosts. Once burrowed in the skin, a tick will engorge itself several times of its own size before detaching from its host and completing its life cycle. Both ticks and fleas can transmit several pathogens to their hosts, including typhus, Lyme disease, tick fever, tapeworms, and more.
Preventing an Infestation on Your Property
Both fleas and ticks need sufficient foliage to flourish. In order to create a tick and flea-free property, clear long and overgrown grass, leaf litter, and mow your lawn frequently. Discourage the entrance of wild animals by building fences, and apply professional-grade pesticides to ensure prolonged protection.
Extermination for Fleas and Ticks at All Star Pest Management
If you have noticed ticks and/or fleas on your pets or property, it may be time to enlist the help of a pest control professional. Here at All Star Pest Management, we provide safe and highly-effective flea and tick control methods designed to rid your property of infestations quickly and affordably. Keep those on your property safe with our tick and flea removal services — call our team today!