Flea and Tick Control
Fleas and Ticks in Your Home and Property?
– Fleas So you have fleas in your Virginia home. It was worrying enough that when your pet has it now it’s infesting your home. These pests are a pain to get rid of as vacuuming and washing your rugs and furniture doesn’t seem to help. These bloodsuckers are relentless and if household products aren’t working, it’s about time for some professionals. We at Blue Ridge Animal and Pest Management are here for all your flea control and flea removal needs.
– Ticks When it comes to ticks, many don’t think that they can infest the home. Sadly, this isn’t the case and these insects can infest if the ticks can reproduce. They will lay their eggs near baseboards, windows and doors, furniture, really anywhere there is a gap. We offer both tick removal in the home and tick control both inside the home and outside. That way, not only will you be safe from ticks in your home, but also in your yard as well.
Flea Damage to your Home
Ticks do not cause any damage to your home. But fleas do have the potential to ruin carpets and furniture, albeit indirectly. Up to 60% of flea eggs can be found in carpets and bedding, especially in areas near pets. If the infestation is large enough, you may need to replace the carpet and bedding as any treatment would ruin them with the number of chemicals needed.
If you do have fleas in your rugs or bedding, the easiest way to remove them is to put them in the washing machine with detergent and heat treatment. But make sure to check the washing instructions as this treatment could ruin some rugs and furniture. If that doesn’t work, you may need to hire a professional. We offer Free flea inspections, with our trained technicians to solve your flea issue.
Health Hazards
– Ticks These insects or more specifically the Black Legged Tick (Deer tick) which can be found everywhere in southwestern Virginia, are the most common vector for Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease is a very common disease from ticks, but luckily it is not fatal and can be treated with antibiotics. However, you will experience symptoms such as fever, pain, facial muscle paralysis, numbness, and hallucinations, for 2 to 4 weeks and sometimes will linger for more than 6 months.
Make Sure to Wash Your Pets and Their Bedding
Animals are prime carriers for fleas and ticks, and in most cases, the main contributor to them getting into your home is your pets. That is why after our work is done, you must regularly de-flea and de-tick your pets and their bedding so that they do not come back again.
Our Flea and Tick Services
Here at Blue Ridge Wildlife and Pest Management, we know that the removal of these pests is your top priority. If your home treatment is not working, it is time to call in the professionals. The population of fleas and ticks has been increasing over the years and it has been getting harder and harder to keep them away. We offer full Flea Control and Tick Control here in Virginia, and not only that, our initial inspection is free with no obligation. If you are unsure if you are not in our service area, give us a call anyways. Odds are we service your area and are closer than you’d think.
Free Tick and Flea Inspection
Are you unsure if you have an infestation? Do not worry as Blue Ridge Wildlife and Pest Management offers free tick inspections and free flea inspections. That way, you can leave the worrying to us. These pests like to hide in crevices and your carpets and bedding, and our technicians are trained to know their hiding places. We have been around for over 25 years and we have dealt with fleas, ticks, and many other pests.
During our inspection, we will also do other pest inspections as well because the odds are you do not only have fleas or ticks. Our comprehensive pest control program does not only target fleas and ticks, but also all other common household pests such as termites, spiders, ants, bees, and rodents.
Flea Control and Tick Control in Virginia
We use a variety of safe chemicals at Blue Ridge that way not only will they repel and kill unwanted pests, but they are safe for you and your pets and loved ones. We will spray the affected areas of your home and your property. That way, you do not have to worry about getting bit in your yard again. Our Tick and Flea control program is designed to be thorough, and for us to keep coming back until the problem is gone for good. After all, making sure you and your home is safe is our top priority.
Frequently Asked Flea Questions
What do Flea Bites Look Like
Flea bites will often show small discolored bumps. Which will sometimes a ring or a halo will form around the bite. These bites will appear in a straight line or cluster as the flea goes across. These bites often occur in the extremities such as the arms or legs, but the legs are the most common especially in areas below the knee. These bites can be confused for other bites such as mosquitos, so paying attention to their grouping and where they are located is important.
If you are bitten, anti-itch cream will be your friend, if you do not have any, ice, aloe vera, oatmeal, and honey will help with itchiness.
Can Humans Get Fleas?
No! Luckily fleas do not live on humans. Fleas prefer to live in areas with a lot of fur or feathers, and we humans do not have enough to get fleas. Even our hair on our heads is not enough for fleas to live in, even if it is long.
How Do I Keep Fleas off Me while I sleep?
There are three ways you can keep fleas off of you when you sleep as listed by the CDC.
- Use insect sprays, this includes sprays with DEET, OLE, and PMDs. Do not use products with OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old
- Cover exposed areas such as the legs and arms with long sleeves and pants. Wear socks as well. Fleas often attack exposed areas and something as simple as pajamas can help.
- Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing, and camping gear and remain protective through several washes. Alternatively, you can buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
Can Fleas Be Permenantly Removed?
Fleas are notoriously hard to remove completely, as they are designed to be nearly indestructible. Even with a moderate infestation, it could take months to fully eradicate.
This is why flea control is important as our technicians can fully remove the fleas in your home quickly, and so that they will never appear again.
Frequently Asked Tick Questions
How To Remove A Tick
- With a pair of tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible.
- After firmly grasping the tick, pull upward with steady pressure. Do not twist or jerk as this could cause the mouth to separate, and cause part of the tick to still be in your skin. If this does happen, pull out the remaining parts, and let yourself heal.
- After removing the tick, was the area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
- Never crush the tick with your fingers, and just in case keep the tick in a small container, or trap it somewhere. This is just incase you start developing Lyme disease, so you can give it to the doctor for testing.
Can Ticks Live in Your Bed?
Yes. Just like bed bugs ticks can live and nest in your bed. They will come out and feed at night when the human hosts are present. This is why after hiking or going outside in the woods, a tick check is important. Not just for health, but so that you do not get a tick infestation in your bed.
