Fleas versus ticks is a battle no one wants any part of. Both of these pesky creatures can cause much anguish for whoever happens to come into contact with them. Unfortunately both are somewhat common, and if you have pets, you are even more likely to run into them from time to time. Obviously neither pest is a joy to deal with, but when it comes right down to it, which is worse? Fleas or ticks?
Fleas are insects that can jump very far. They are typically found on cats, dogs, raccoons, foxes, and the like. Once they find a suitable host, they are quite content to set up shop and stay there. In fact, once they find a host, they will likely stay there until they die – which isn’t all that long. Their average lifespan is less than 100 days. They lay up to 40 eggs a day for several weeks, and these eggs can be shed from the host anywhere they go.
On the other hand, ticks are arachnids that are very closely related to spiders and normally have eight legs. They can also be found on any of the typical flea hosts, as well as rodents, deer, squirrels, birds, and humans, to name a few. Ticks spend the majority of their time off of their hosts, waiting for the perfect person, animal, or rodent to come along. Tick eggs are spread when the female tick detaches from her host after engorgement and then lays her eggs. At that point, the flea will die.
Each of these pests can cause quite a bit of pain and suffering for their hosts. While they can also each spread disease, ticks are far more dangerous. Fleas typically spread bartonellosis and tapeworm and can even cause anemia in severe infestations, while ticks can transmit a number of potentially deadly diseases, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. When it comes to danger, ticks are most certainly the more threatening culprit.
While ticks may be a bit scarier to deal with, fleas can be downright annoying. If you have a pet that is allowed both indoors and outdoors, there’s a good chance you will deal with fleas in your home at some point. Unfortunately, fleas spread quickly, and they are an incredible nuisance. They are also difficult to get rid of. It is essential that you keep your pets up to date on their flea prevention at all times to avoid a flea infestation in your home.
You’re a bit less likely to encounter a tick. You or your pet will typically get a tick from walking around in the woods or high grass. Anytime you or your pet have been out in this type of environment, do a very thorough tick check once you return home.
If you have pets, year-round flea and tick prevention is absolutely vital. This prevention is not only important to avoid an infestation in your home, but also to protect your pets from the diseases these critters may spread. If your pet happens to bring an infestation home, there are many over the counter products that can be purchased, such as sprays and powders, which can help to control and eventually eliminate the issue. However, if the infestation has become too large for you to handle, or you simply want it taken care of immediately, you may want to reach out to your local pest control company for assistance.