Flea & Tick

Fleas and ticks are parasitic arthropods that feed on the blood of mammals and birds, making them a year-round concern for pet owners and families. Fleas are insects known for their extraordinary jumping ability, while ticks are arachnids that attach to hosts for extended feeding periods. Both are capable of transmitting serious diseases to humans and animals. Flea infestations can build rapidly inside homes because of their fast reproductive cycle, while ticks pose ongoing risks in yards, parks, and wooded areas. Effective management requires treating both the animals and the environment simultaneously.

Species Covered

Species Groups

Common Traits

Fleas and ticks are both ectoparasites - they live on the exterior of their hosts - and both feed exclusively on blood. Fleas are small, laterally compressed insects that move through fur rapidly and reproduce at an impressive rate, with a single female producing up to 50 eggs per day. Ticks are slow-moving arachnids that embed their mouthparts into skin for feeding sessions lasting hours to days.

Species in This Category

All Flea & Tick

Cat FleaCtenocephalides felis

Dog FleaCtenocephalides canis

Human FleaPulex irritans

Oriental Rat FleaXenopsylla cheopis

American Dog TickDermacentor variabilis

Blacklegged TickIxodes scapularis

Lone Star TickAmblyomma americanum

Brown Dog TickRhipicephalus sanguineus

Gulf Coast TickAmblyomma maculatum

ChiggerTrombicula alfreddugesi

Signs of Infestation

Pets scratching, biting, or grooming excessively, especially around the tail, neck, and ears
Small, dark, fast-moving specks (fleas) visible on pets or bedding
Flea dirt - tiny black pepper-like specks that turn red when moistened - on pet fur or sleeping areas
Red, itchy bite marks on human ankles and lower legs
Ticks found attached to skin after spending time outdoors in grassy or wooded areas
Pale, oval flea eggs or pupae in carpet fibers, pet bedding, and upholstered furniture

Prevention

Flea and tick prevention requires a coordinated approach: veterinarian-recommended preventive treatments for all pets, regular vacuuming and laundering of pet bedding, and outdoor habitat management to reduce tick populations. Keeping lawns mowed, removing leaf litter, and creating gravel or mulch barriers between wooded areas and lawns all help reduce tick encounters. Year-round prevention is important because both pests can remain active in mild winters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get fleas even if I don't have pets?

Yes. Fleas can be carried into homes by wildlife such as raccoons, squirrels, and feral cats that access crawl spaces, attics, or the area under porches. Previous residents' pets may have left flea pupae in carpet that can remain dormant for months and emerge when they detect vibrations from new occupants. Visiting a home with fleas can also result in bringing them back to your own.

Why do I still have fleas after treating my pet?

Treating only the pet addresses just five percent of the flea population. The other 95 percent - eggs, larvae, and pupae - live in your carpets, furniture, and pet bedding. Flea pupae are especially resilient and can survive in a dormant state for months, protected from most treatments by their cocoon. Successful elimination requires simultaneous treatment of the pet, the home interior, and the yard.

How do I properly remove a tick?

Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible, then pull straight upward with steady, even pressure - do not twist or jerk. Clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Save the tick in a sealed container for potential identification if symptoms develop later. Never use heat, nail polish, or petroleum jelly, as these methods can cause the tick to regurgitate into the wound.

What diseases do ticks carry in the United States?

The most common tick-borne diseases in the U.S. include Lyme disease (blacklegged tick), Rocky Mountain spotted fever (American dog tick, brown dog tick), ehrlichiosis (lone star tick), anaplasmosis (blacklegged tick), and babesiosis (blacklegged tick). The number of reported tick-borne disease cases has been increasing steadily, and geographic ranges of key tick species are expanding.

How quickly do flea infestations develop?

Extremely quickly. A single female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day, and the full life cycle from egg to adult can be completed in as little as two to three weeks in warm, humid conditions. Under ideal circumstances, 10 female fleas can produce over 250,000 offspring in just 30 days. This exponential growth is why early intervention is so critical.

Do flea bombs or foggers work?

Flea foggers have significant limitations. The pesticide settles on top of carpets and surfaces but often does not penetrate into the carpet fibers, furniture crevices, and under beds where flea larvae and pupae actually live. Foggers also leave chemical residues on surfaces throughout the home and require evacuation. Professional treatments that target specific harborage areas are more effective and use less product overall.

Need Help With Flea & tick?

If you're seeing signs of flea & tick in or around your home, professional treatment is the fastest way to stop the problem. Lotus Pest Control offers free inspections to identify the issue and recommend the right solution.

Schedule a Free Inspection Call (417) 238-0550