Common Fleas & Ticks in New York City

Fleas

Description

• Size: 1/8 inch
• Color: very dark
• Wingless
• Three pairs of legs
• Immature stage looks like a small white worm with a dark head
• Eggs are small and white

Habitat

• Cooler and drier weather brings a reduction in the number of households with fleas
• House pets usually carry small flea populations throughout the winter
• The pets carry much larger populations in the spring and summer

Life Cycle

• Females lay eggs in the pet’s hair
• The eggs drop off and hatch into tiny, hairy, worm-like larvae
• The larva is usally found where the pet sleeps, along baseboards, in carpets, or on furniture
• Larvae pupate and new adults emerge
• New adults seek a host immediately and must get a blood meal to survive and produce eggs

Control

• Vacuum the pet’s bedding, rugs, and resting areas frequently

Ticks

Brown dog tick

Identification

• About 5 mm long
• Short stout mouthparts
• Reddish-brown color

Life History

• Ticks pass through three feeding stages: the larva, nymph, and adult
• After feeding on a host, a tick becomes engorged with blood and drops from the host
• Once in a protected place, immature ticks molt to the next stage, and females produce eggs after their final meal

Control

• Avoid tick infested areas such as tall grass and dense vegetation
• Walk in the center of trails and acoid brushing against weeds and tall grass
• Keep grass and underbrush cut and thinned
• Wear light colored clothing so ticks can be found easily
• Tuck pant legs into socks so ticks stay on the outside of pants
• Conduct tick checks on children and pets every 4 hours
• Use tick repellents that contain at least 30% DEET
• Ask your veterinarian to reccommend tick controls for your pets
• Treat your lawn with an approved pesticide for tick control

Removing Ticks

• Remove with tweezers or by wrapping the tick in tissue paper and pulling out with fingers
• DO NOT twist or jerk, and pull slowly to avoid leaving the mouthparts in the wound
• DO NOT use nail polish, petroleum jelly, alcohol, or hot matches
• Wash the wound with an antiseptic after the tick is removed

Flea & Tick Treatment Preparation Sheet

1. Vacuum all rugs and floors before treatment.
2. Remove all children’s toys or items they put in their mouth from the floor.
3. Cover or put away all exposed food, dishes, pots, pans, and utensils.
4. Strip all beds.
5. Turn off all air conditioning units, central heating units, and fans.
6. Unplug and cover all fishtanks.
7. Remove and wash all pet bedding or sleeping areas.
8. Remove all pet food and toys from the floor.
9. Have all pets treated for the fleas or ticks, and remove from premises during treatment.

After Treatment

1. Open all windows and let rooms ventilate.
2. Wipe down all counter tops and flat surfaces.
3. Next day, revacuum all areas that were treated.

Fleas and tick are very difficult to control.  Please call Ecology Exterminating at 1-877-762-2437 or 1-800-Pest-Control for professional flea and tick service.