Flea & Tick Removal
Tips to a Flea – Free Living
Before the treatment: Vacuum carpet and all your furniture. Make sure to vacuum under the cushions as well. Once you are done make sure you toss our the vacuum bag.
- Mop and sweep the entire house including closets.
- Remove all pillow, pet food, water and especially your kids toys.
- Remove all pets from your home.
- Wash or toss out all your pets beds. If you decide to keep them make sure you wash them individually.
- Mow your lawn the day before we arrive to treat your home.
- Let our technician know where your pets sleeps so we can make sure we spray the area.
Allow 24 hours before you mop, sweep or vacuum home to allow insecticide time to work.
Continue to vacuum for 2-3 weeks at intervals of 3-4 days. It is normal to see adult fleas for up to 3 weeks after treatment. Flea pupae are protected from insecticides by their cocoons. So once they emerge they will be exposed to insecticide and be eliminated.
Flea/Tick Control Tips
How to Remove a Tick
• Shield your fingers with a paper towel, use tweezers or wear rubber gloves. Grasp the tick close to the skin, and with steady pressure, pull straight out.
• Do not twist or jerk, as mouthparts may be left in the skin. Take care not to crush or puncture the pest during removal.
• Use of a hot match or cigarette is NOT recommended as this may cause the tick to burst. Spotted fever may be acquired from infected pest body fluids that come in contact with broken skin, the mouth or eyes.
• Avoid touching with bare hands – secretions can be infectious. Spotted fever can be acquired through self-inoculation into a small scratch or cut.
• After removal, thoroughly disinfect the bite site and wash hands with soap and water.
• Ticks can be tested for disease. Contact the Vector-borne Disease Program of the Department of Health. Place in a small jar or zip-lock plastic bag, along with a few blades of green grass (to provide moisture). Store in a cool place until it can be delivered.
• Safely dispose of these pests by placing them in a container of oil or alcohol, sticking them to tape or flushing them in the toilet.
Provided by Ohio State University