Austin Flea, Tick, Chigger Control

Eliminating fleas, ticks, and chiggers is rarely easy. Once you have spotted them in your space, an infestation has likely already developed. At this point, you will likely need a multi-pronged approach to get rid of them. In most cases, you will have to call an Austin pest control company to fully eliminate the problem.

Fleas

Adult fleas spend the majority of their time on blood hosts, which are usually dogs, cats, and other pets. Unfortunately, this does not mean that they are contained in that area.

Adult female fleas typically wait until the host has fallen asleep or is resting to lay their eggs. This causes the eggs to fall into the surrounding area, which is usually in the animal’s bedding. Larvae then hatch from the eggs and feed on dried blood, dander, and other organic matter found within the bedding. The larvae will remain there for several weeks until they mature into adults. They will then climb onto the host and continue the life cycle.

Multiple strategies are necessary to get rid of fleas in the home and lawn. Due to the fact that flea problems stem from pets, it is important to treat them, either with flea collars, sprays, dips, or medication. The pet’s bedding then needs to be washed in very hot water and placed in the dryer for a cycle.

Unfortunately, simply treating the pet and washing the bedding is not enough. Fleas are incredibly difficult to get rid of and a pesticide is required both inside and outside the home. A pest control company can provide the safe and effective pesticide solutions that get rid of fleas once and for all. A pest control expert will also know where to apply the treatment, such as near the pet’s bedding and other places of the home they frequent, as well as the lawn.

Ticks

Texas is home to many different types of ticks, and some of them carry and transmit very serious diseases to humans. For this reason, it is important to avoid ticks as much as possible. Still, sometimes that seems impossible, particularly when people live in or visit wooded or grassy areas where ticks live. If interacting with ticks is inevitable, pets should be treated by a veterinarian who can provide the treatment that will keep ticks at bay.

When in grassy or woody areas, it is important to wear long sleeves and pants that can be tucked into socks. Some repellents are also very effective at deterring ticks from latching onto a blood host, particularly those that contain DEET. At home, it is important to keep items out of the lawn that could attract wild animals. Garbage can act as a food source for wildlife and things such as leaky faucets can also provide a water source. Certain types of wildlife, such as raccoons, skunks, mice, and rats may carry ticks and bring them into the yard. Fencing can also help keep wildlife out of the area so wildlife, and the pests they bring, do not become a problem.

As with fleas, the lawn should also be treated with an insecticide that can eliminate the problem. The entire lawn needs to be treated to ensure the ticks simply do not move to another area of the lawn and continue to infest. Particular attention must be given to wildlife trails, tall vegetation, and the exterior of the home. Ticks are fairly hearty creatures and so, it is important to work with a professional that will have the right treatments to eliminate the problem. A Texas pest control expert can also advise on whether treatment is needed inside the home and if so, will provide safe and effective solutions.

Chiggers

Also known as redbugs, chiggers are small red bugs that can cause a great deal of trouble for people dealing with an infestation. Unlike many other types of pests, it is not the adult chiggers that bite. Adult chiggers eat insect eggs, other mites, organic material, and microbes. It is the larvae that are responsible for inflicting the painful bites. Like other parasites, chigger larvae will attach themselves to a host as they pass and remain on them for several days. Once they have fully fed themselves, they will then fall off the host and mature into an adult.

As with fleas and ticks, keeping a well-maintained lawn is crucial to chigger control. Chiggers also lie in woody and grassy areas, where they find protection and shelter and seek relief from the hot sun. Controlling brush and regularly mowing the lawn will eliminate the habitats chiggers need to survive. An Austin pest control company will have the necessary insecticide to treat the outside of the home when chiggers become a problem. Fortunately, chiggers cannot survive indoors, so treatment in these areas is not necessary. A pest control expert will also provide the necessary advice to keep chiggers and other parasites from invading a yard and home.

Call Our Pest Control Experts in Austin Today

Fleas, ticks, and chiggers are all extremely difficult to get rid of and rarely can someone do it on their own. At Stride Pest Control, our pest control experts can identify the problem spots in your home and will then use the safe and effective solutions to get rid of the pests once and for all. Call us today or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.