How Pests Can Hitchhike During The Summer
Ticks
Ticks are known to pose a significant risk to human health. These arachnids puncture the skin, potentially introducing bloodborne illnesses and Lyme disease to its host. In order to survive, ticks hide in dark, moist grass or dirt while waiting for a potential host to walk by. Once a susceptible host passes near the hidden tick, it will latch onto its clothes, fur, or hair before finding a spot to pierce the flesh. If not promptly discovered and removed, ticks can cause long-term health issues and even severe allergic reactions.
Fortunately for North Florida property owners, our pest control technicians use reliable and environmentally safe pest management methods to eliminate and deter ticks. We also offer two follow-up inspections to guarantee that the tick infestation was adequately treated.
Fleas
If you own a cat or a dog, you are likely familiar with the ability of fleas to hitchhike on fur. These irritating parasites can cause you and your pets to become itchy and uncomfortable.
After a long hike or walk with your dog in a grassy area, inspect their fur in the garage or on the patio before bringing them back into the home. In some cases, you may need to give your pet a thorough brushing or a bath in order to fully examine the roots of their fur.
At Champion Termite & Pest Control, our team of flea exterminators utilize a specialized, highly powerful vacuum to dislodge fleas from carpets, upholstery, and pet beds. We will carefully remove adult fleas, larvae, and eggs from tiny cracks and crevices.
Fire Ants
Fire ants may be tiny, but they deliver a painful sting. These aggressive insects will attack any creature that disturbs them—leaving angry white pustules behind.
Avoiding these pests can be difficult. Most outdoor common areas in Florida—especially those where people bring and eat food—feature large fire ant mounds. Each mound can contain a colony of hundreds of thousands of ants. When you host picnics or outdoor get-togethers near these mounds, the ants will emerge in search of food and invade your belongings. The smell and presence of sweet or greasy foods attract the swarm—tainting what was meant to be a lighthearted picnic.
To prevent a fire ant infestation, we recommend wiping down coolers, food containers, or bags before bringing them indoors.
Bed Bugs
Second-hand shopping and thrifting are a fun way to find vintage clothing or to decorate your home while on a budget—all while reducing global textile waste! However, it is important for avid thrift shoppers to closely inspect and clean all items before introducing them into their household. Otherwise, bed bugs hidden in furniture or clothing fabric may spread throughout your rooms—making their way onto all of your other belongings.
Once buried or latched into your couch, pillows, or bedding, bed bugs will feed on the blood of humans and their animals. Because of their itchy bites and ability to rapidly reproduce, it is imperative that you notify our bed bug control company immediately after spotting signs of bed bugs. With early notice, our exterminators can perform a thorough inspection of your residence and use a combination of strategic HEPA vacuuming, thermal remediation heat treatment, and natural pest control insecticides to stop bugs in their tracks—all before a full-blown infestation can emerge.
Don’t wait until it is too late—contact Champion Termite & Pest Control today to create a custom pest extermination plan!
