Fleas are one of the most aggravating creatures in the world. It’s an ectoparasite, which means that it attaches to and lives on the outside of an animal. It has a painful bite and feeds on the blood of its host, using that blood for nourishment and to lay eggs. Not only do they torment our pets, but they can also torture humans, sometimes even selecting us as hosts. When an infestation occurs, it can spread from the host animal to the home itself, and when that happens, it is one of the most challenging pest infestations to eliminate. They get into everything—furniture, bedding, clothing, carpets, etc.—throughout the home and will patiently lie in wait for their next warm-blooded victim. They can even jump over a foot, about 200 times their body length, to reach their target. They are wily, fast, and challenging to kill. Swatting one does nothing; you have to crush it, and their incredibly tough exoskeleton makes that hard to do.

The Threat Of Disease:

 There is more to contend with than the frustration and discomfort of being repeatedly bitten and harassed by these insects. Fleas pose a serious threat to the health of both humans and pets. They carry several diseases, including plague, typhus, and cat-scratch disease. Additionally, they transmit tapeworms through ingestion. Once swallowed, they attach themselves to their victim’s intestines and can cause nervous disorders, headaches, seizures, vision problems, and more. Added to that is the mental anguish they cause. Perhaps nothing is worse than watching your beloved pet (or family members) suffer.

Reproduction:

 Fleas reproduce very quickly. A single female lays approximately 20 eggs in a day and has a life span of about 100 days. That math is pretty intimidating. Just a couple of them can turn into hundreds, even thousands, in a short period. An infested pet quickly leads to an infested home and, before you know it, your home becomes an uncomfortable place to live.

Treatment: 

Many pet owners treat their four-legged loved ones with veterinary products to help protect them from fleas. This includes collars, powders, sprays, washes, and topical medications. But even when you do everything you can to prevent them, they can still find a way into your home. In reality, all you have to do is walk by one for it to jump on you or your pet and hitch a ride. And once your home is infested, that’s when the real challenge begins. Combatting an infestation is a complicated, multi-step process. It starts with thoroughly cleaning the house, followed by treating the home with insecticides that kill adults, their eggs, and larvae. You also need to treat your pets, which means choosing a responsible and effective product. But you still aren’t done. You also need to treat the areas outside your home where they may be gathering in wait for a host. Here’s the kicker: all of that needs to be done simultaneously. If you miss one single flea, the infestation can begin again. Often, despite your best efforts, follow-up treatments are necessary to eliminate the problem completely.

 Why You Need A Pro: 

Trying to do this on your own can be daunting. According to the CDC, not only is the timing of your treatment methods critical, but the flea can be very resistant to treatment during various stages of its long lifecycle. Most experts recommend utilizing a professional pest control service to achieve optimal results.

Choose Modern Pest Solutions: 

The most trusted pest control service in Oklahoma is New Science Pest Management. We’re experts in dealing with fleas, and we can help you eliminate them and prevent them from returning. So, stop suffering and give us a call today. 

Ticks

When it comes to ticks, it’s essential to keep them off your property to prevent the spread of bacteria and agents that cause infections. There is a myth that they wait on leaves and branches and jump off onto their next victim, but that is just not true. Instead, they hold onto a structure, wait for a host to brush against it, and then climb aboard. They’re so tiny that it is difficult to spot them before they hitch a ride. Even as we are bitten, it is still difficult to tell they are on us. Their saliva is a complex compound, and the anesthetic properties that mask the bite are just the beginning of the chemical reaction in our bodies. It also prevents blood from clotting and suppresses the immune system. Without this, it would be difficult to go unnoticed for the 24-48 hours they need to feed.

 While they do suck blood, it is not in the same sense as a mosquito or a bed bug where a sharp proboscis is inserted into the victim’s capillary, and a meal is served. That same saliva kills off a small ring of the host’s tissues, and they feed off the blood that pools up. Typically, the body would send collagen cells to the wound site for healing, but, as you might expect, the saliva also negates this process. 

Not all ticks are created equal; some are hard-shelled, while others are soft-shelled. The hard variety has an exposed mouth and head and a scutum (shield) that covers their upper body. The soft ones have no shield and are more sac-like, but are protected by a tough exoskeleton. There are key differences between the two. Soft ticks generally feed for only about half an hour, and while this may seem like the lesser of two evils, they generally feed on birds, bats, and rodents and live in the rodents’ burrows, so more than likely, not you. The common hard ticks in Oklahoma are the American Dog tick, the Brown Dog tick, the Deer tick, and the Lone Star tick. Diseases associated with this pest are Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis/Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis. Unfortunately, tick-associated diseases are on the rise. For example, instances of reported Lyme disease went from 357 in 2006 to over 1300 in 2016. An estimated 86% of tick-related infections took place between April and September.

 If you're headed for a day out in the great outdoors, spray a repellent on your exposed skin and clothing. Light-colored clothes are recommended because the colors help you spot the tiny bug more easily. Keeping your pants tucked into your socks also helps. When it comes to your pets, thoroughly check their body, fur, and ears after they’ve been outside.

 If ticks are becoming a problem in your area, we utilize the latest technology to provide personalized treatments tailored to each customer. To start preventing ticks on your property, call our New Science team at 405.534.4344 and schedule an appointment. We deliver efficient response times and guaranteed workmanship.