Ticks and fleas are a year-round problem for many homes. These pests are most active in the warmer months. However, the real problem arises when these little annoyances are in your home. It can feel overwhelming and if so Hart Pest Control can help.
Humans and animals are the primary targets for these blood-suckers. Ticks and fleas can cause both Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, among other diseases. Also, fleas can lay about 40 eggs a day and can live between two weeks to a year! Here are some ways to keep your home safe from these awful pests.
Treating Your Yard
Grass that is too high can attract fleas and ticks. You can prevent this by cutting your grass relatively short and trimming your plants. Keep plants away from your home, as tall plants act as a pathway for fleas and ticks to enter your home.
Trash and food sources left out can attract unwanted visitors. For example, possums and raccoons are carriers of ticks and fleas. To reduce the chances of critters entering your home, keep trash far away from your home. You should also bring pet food inside.
Fleas and ticks can hide under dead leaves and twigs. Therefore, raking your lawn is the best form of prevention.
Deep Clean Your Home
Having ticks and fleas in your house doesn’t mean that your home is dirty. However, places such as carpets and curtains attract ticks and fleas. This is because they can hide inside the material fibers. These places are usually where ticks and fleas tend to lay their eggs.
To prevent infestations, try vacuuming your carpets. When finished vacuuming, be sure to empty the vacuum’s contents outside. Steaming your curtains is another way to remove these pests.
Tick and Flea Treatment for Pets
Ticks and fleas prefer animals as hosts over humans. If your pet has fleas or ticks, then your entire home can become a haven for these pests. Your pet may even develop heartworms if a flea infection goes unnoticed.
Fleas love to nest in the same spot where your pet sleeps. To prevent a flea infestation, wash your pet’s bedding with hot water. This is highly recommended, because the heat helps kill fleas in any life stage. In severe cases, consider throwing out the old bedding altogether.
Natural Tick and Flea Repellent
There are many ways to get rid of ticks and fleas naturally. Herbal sprays are safe and suitable to use around children and pets. Salt is another great home remedy. It dehydrates fleas, making vacuuming these pests a no-brainer.
Baking soda helps remove fleas from the fibers of your furniture and carpet. You can start by laying down baking soda on your carpets and furniture. Next, take a hard bristle brush and rub the baking soda into the carpet. After that, thoroughly vacuum the area and empty the contents.
Lemons are a good home remedy for treating fleas. You can make a lemon spray by mixing water with lemon slices. Pour into a spray bottle and let the solution sit overnight. The next day, spray the solution over the infested areas.
Call a Pest Control Professional
The best solution for protecting your home from infestations is by hiring a professional pest control service. Hart Pest Control combines knowledge with experience and has been in business since 1969. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and get rid of those pests for good!