Is It Fleas Or Ticks?

The first way to know if you have fleas or ticks is to check your clothing or scalp for red dots. The fleas are usually hidden under clothing, so they are easiest to spot after you spend some time outdoors. Ticks, on the other hand, are much harder to detect with the naked eye. They will live on multiple hosts throughout their life, and they are larger than fleas.

The best way to prevent ticks from inhabiting your home is to use insect repellents containing DEET, a chemical that works well against ticks. You can also use natural plant-based products such as permethrin, which kills ticks over a long period of time. Another method is to keep grass and vegetation short around the house.

While fleas and ticks are both a nuisance, ticks are far more dangerous. Not only do ticks cause itchy dermatitis, but they can also transmit dangerous diseases, including plague, bartonellosis, typhus, and tapeworm. They can also cause your pet to become anemic or get skin infections.

Adult fleas lay eggs while they are on their host. During this stage, the female flea lays between twenty and forty eggs. Ticks, on the other hand, fall off their host and lay their eggs. Their life cycle can last for three years. If you suspect your pet has fleas, you should visit a veterinarian.