09/18/2025
We know ticks and fleas can be the biggest pests of the summer, not just for your family's pets, but for you as well. Here are some facts and behavior of common ticks that can aid you in being able to identify what you are battling!
Fleas are small, flightless parasites that feed on the blood of various warm-blooded animals, depending on the species, and can transmit diseases to their host. Although most people think of fleas as a problem only the family pet has to deal with, they can also bite humans and are the most common transmitter of the rare bubonic plague. While pet owners are primarily at risk for flea infestations, these biting pests can also be brought onto a property via wild animals like raccoons or skunks and then make their way into a home. The most common species is the cat flea, which often feasts on cats, dogs and humans. Fleas can live for about 100 days during which time the females can produce up to 2,000 offspring. These pests transport themselves on rodents and other mammals, usually remaining on their hosts at all times. Fleas use their powerful legs to jump as high as 8 inches vertically, which is 150 times their own height. Like other pests, fleas are able to easily infest households. Theyâre commonly called âfreeloadersâ because they transfer to new environments by latching onto mammals, as well as shoes, pant legs and blankets. Once inside, fleas usually hide in areas where pets and people sleep such as furniture, beds and carpeting, as well as the cracks of hardwood floors.
Ticks are often mistaken for insects, but they are actually arachnids. There are many different kinds, but the most common ones we encounter are American Dog Ticks and Brown Dog Ticks. Outdoors, theyâre known to scale up shrubs, grass and other vegetation, attaching themselves to passing hosts such as dogs, deer, rabbits and even humans. Both of these ticks prefer domestic dogs, but will bite humans if necessary. Despite their similarities in name, they do have some contrasts with the largest one being that brown dog ticks can complete their entire life cycle indoors. This allows them to establish populations in colder climates, and they are notorious for infesting homes once brought inside. The American dog tick prefers to choose habitats which maximize their exposure to potential hosts, and are attracted by the scent of animals. They are incredibly durable, and can survive for about 2-3 years unfed. When they are ready to lay their eggs, adult female American dog ticks will detach from their hosts. Over the next month, she will lay as many as 6,500 eggs. The eggs typically hatch in 1-2 months, during which time the larvae emerge and seek out small hosts, such as field mice, but can survive up to 500 days unfed! Depending on the climate, the entire lifecycle of an American dog tick can take anywhere from 3 months to more than 1 year. In the northern United States, itâs common for the lifecycle to last two years. On the other hand, the Brown dog tick is most commonly encountered indoors and in kennels. If found on a dog or other animal, the brown dog tick should be removed as soon as possible. On dogs, adult brown dog ticks can typically be found on the ears and between the toes, while younger or immature ones attach along the dogâs back. When not feeding on a host, they generally prefer the warm, dry conditions inside homes. Once inside, female ticks will drop off of their host and lay eggs in any crack or crevice they can find, potentially causing an explosion of hundreds of immature ticks after a few weeks. They typically move upward to higher ground, so eggs are often deposited in openings near wall hangings, ceiling, or roofs, promoting host encounters. These dark brown eggs are usually laid in masses of 1,000-3,000. Once they hatch, the larval ticks will usually feed on pets like dogs or cats. Both adult and larval brown dog ticks are capable of surviving without feeding for up to 8 months. Aside from catching a ride inside on a household pet, possums, raccoons and other wildlife can carry these ticks into a yard, after which they can take shelter in doghouses and beneath decks.
Do these sound familiar to you? Have you seen them around lately? Not to worry at all, please contact us, and we'll be happy to kick those buggers to the curb for you!
