5 Shocking Details about Fleas and Ticks

1. As pet owners you might be aware of the dangers caused by fleas and ticks to our beloved pets. But apart from the fact that you need to protect your pets from these dangerous parasites you might not be aware about these harmful pests. Did you know that there are approximately 2,000 species of fleas in the entire world? I can bet you were not aware of this fact. These fleas are very small insects that are hardly visible without the presence of wings and their six legs. One of the major strengths of these parasites is that they jump really big due the strength of their hind legs. They move from one pet to another due to this big jump. The worse part of fleas is that they can be found on any part of the pet’s body and multiply rather swiftly. Fleas can even cause zoonotic disease. Flea bites in pets can result in allergic dermatitis that can happen when the affected pet is allergic to flea bites.

2. Extreme behaviours by pets like hair loss, scratching, biting and even result in a wound that can become infected if not treated early. Ticks are notorious parasites that affix themselves by mouth to the skin of pets. They feed on the blood of the pets and can cause hypersensitivity and in some worse cases even anaemia (blood loss). They can even transfer bacterial or viral diseases to pets. There are four major stages of ticks: egg, larvae, nymph and adult. They can be seen on the skin of the pet as they grow in length. Since you are now aware of these nasty parasites it is time to look at some shocking details about them which will amaze you: Fleas Fleas have the innate talent of jumping very high up to eight feet, which is 110 times of human being’s body length (it is the same as a human being jumping the height of 30 storey building!!) AMAZING ISN’T IT? Fleas have an uncanny ability of infesting many pets like rodents and raccoons. Hence, if you infer a rodent infestation, expect fleas to follow not before long Unlike other parasites, fleas generally are found on the bodies of their host always. But they can even be easily transferred to furniture or between pets It has been more than 165 million years since the evolution of fleas on earth!! (ASTONISHING FACT) A feminine flea has the capability of laying more than 20 eggs in a day (which means that in just 60 days 20,000 new fleas grow) SURPRISING ISN’T IT?

3. Ticks There are in total 850 different species of ticks found on earth Ticks are much easier to spot after engorging in blood since they become four times their size after a meal!! (ASTONISHING FACT) Ticks are historically closely in relation to spiders than insects (CAUGHT YOU UNAWARE ISN’T IT?) In order to locate their host, ticks grasp on the grass or scrub with the aid of their back legs and then get their front legs out to clasp onto passing fur or clothing Ticks have the uncanny knack of climbing the head of their host from whichever body position they attach to. (AMAZING ABILITY ISN’T IT?) Since both these parasites are harmful to pets it becomes important to provide flea & tick protection to pets by selecting the most appropriate flea & tick treatment for your pets. Also keep the pets clean since dirt can be a possible variant to carry fleas in the house. Brush their hair and try to see whether they have little brown spots on the skin, which may be the feces of fleas or you may even see fleas in motion. When you hire an exterminator tell them specifically that you would like to kill fleas and ticks so that they have the necessary poison to kill these deadly parasites. Once you have done all these things regular dosage of flea and tick preventive treatment will keep your pet safe and sound from the harmful effects of fleas and ticks.