Flea & Tick Control in Plano, TX

Why do fleas come back after I treat my pet?

Fleas return because treating the pet kills only the adults on the animal. Eggs, larvae and pupae in carpet, bedding and shaded soil keep hatching for weeks. Pupae are protected inside cocoons, so a home and yard treatment plus continued vet-recommended pet care is needed to break the cycle.

Vacuuming daily, washing pet bedding weekly on a hot cycle and keeping pets on a vet-recommended preventive all make a technician's work last longer. Skipping any of them is the most common reason a flea treatment seems to fail.

Wild visitors matter too. Opossums, raccoons and stray cats resting under a deck can reinfest a yard. If you see animals living under the house or shed, tell the technician.

Where do ticks and chiggers live in a Plano yard?

Ticks and chiggers live in tall grass, leaf litter, brush piles and shaded edges where it stays damp, rather than in sunny, mown lawn. Greenbelt-facing fences, creek banks and wooded lots near parks are typical habitats. Keeping grass short and clearing leaf litter makes yards less welcoming.

Chiggers are tiny larval mites rather than insects, and their bites itch for days. Brown dog ticks, in contrast, can live indoors and complete their life cycle on dogs, which makes kennels, pet beds and dog runs worth checking.

The area around Rowlett Creek and the greenbelts in west and north Plano gives these pests more habitat than an open cul-de-sac lot, but a shady back corner of any yard can hold them.

Is flea and tick treatment safe for pets and children?

Products are labeled for specific uses, and the label and technician's instructions set the rules. Usually people and pets stay out of treated areas until products dry. Pets themselves should be treated only with products your veterinarian recommends, because some dog products are dangerous for cats.

Tell the technician about every animal in the house, including fish tanks, birds and reptiles, which need to be covered or moved before spraying. Ask for the names of the products used, so you can check them with your vet or doctor if you have concerns about a child, an older pet or someone who is pregnant.

What can I do to prevent fleas and ticks between visits?

Keep pets on a vet-recommended preventive, mow and edge the lawn, clear leaf litter and brush, wash pet bedding often and vacuum carpet and furniture regularly. These steps reduce the number of fleas and ticks that survive between visits and make any treatment more effective.

Sprinkler heads that leave one corner permanently damp, thick ground cover along a fence and piles of stored wood all create shelter. Move firewood and lumber away from the house, trim low branches that block sunlight and keep pet resting areas out of the shadiest part of the yard.

If you have a lot of St. Augustine turf irrigated on a timer, check with your HOA or landscaper before changing watering patterns, since the grass itself still needs water.

How should I prepare the house for a flea treatment?

Wash bedding and pet blankets on the hottest cycle, vacuum carpets, rugs and upholstery thoroughly, then empty the vacuum bag or canister outdoors. Clear floors of toys and clutter, cover or move fish tanks and keep pets and children out until the technician says treated areas have dried.

Vacuuming stimulates pupae to hatch, which brings them into contact with the treatment. It sounds counterintuitive, but it is one of the most effective things a homeowner can do.

Take pets to a vet or a groomer around the time of the visit so they are not in the house, and ask your vet which flea and tick preventive suits each animal.