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Flea and Tick Season Begins
06/05/08 - 07:34 AM

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They’re tiny, troublesome and dangerous in some cases.  Fleas are nearly microscopic, but don’t go unnoticed.

“When they bite you, you’re gonna pretty much know it,” says Alabama Resident, Angel Brooks.

We’re moving into the hottest months of the year, which is known to many as flea and tick season.  Typically the worst months for fleas and ticks are from May - September.  There are more than 200 species of fleas and 200 types of ticks in the U.S.

While the pests are found in a variety of places.  Many of them go for the same host.  Laura Griffits Bay County Resident says, “you can see them on the dogs we usually bath them and give them frontline.”

The pesky problem can multiply quickly.  Just one adult female can lay as many as 50 eggs in a day, and twice that for ticks, according to Farnam Pet Products.

Scott Spear, Operation Manager at PetSmart, says any one dog can have as many as 5,000 fleas on their body at one time.

Ignoring the problem can have devistating consequenses.  “When your dog digests that flea they can get tape worm which can lead to all other sorts of problems.  Ticks can lead to lime disease.  They can come off the animal and jump onto humans,” he says.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that more than 16,000 Americans are infected with Lyme disease carried by deer ticks each year.  Those ticks often carried into the home by pets.

Experts recommend you begin treatment, before they become a problem.  Flea drops, collars and shampoos can protect your pet.  If you have an infestation in your yard you can call Pest control or take care of the problem yourself.  Go down to the store and purchase a yard spray.  They connect to your garden hose.  The spray will kill fleas, ticks, mosquitoes or other pests for up to 5,000 square feet.

Experts advise that you read instructions closely before use.  Most medications recommend your animal be at least 12 weeks old.  Anything younger shoud be approved by your vet.