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Fleas:
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Fleas
are external blood-sucking parasites that host on
humans, dogs, cats, rats and other animals. They
are often brought into homes by infested pet dogs
and cats, or by rats. Fleas usually bite humans
around the ankles and lower legs. The bite wound
can develop into skin inflammation. Fleas are also
carriers of human diseases, the most significant
of which is the deadly plague, as well as murine
typhus. |
CONTROL
To reduce the likelihood of a flea
infestation at home, follow these simple measures:
1. Maintain a high standard of cleanliness within your
premises. Floors, carpets and upholstery should be vacuumed
and cleaned frequently to remove adult fleas and eggs.
2. Infested pets should be treated by a veterinarian immediately.
3. Always keep pet bedding and surrounding areas clean.
Keeping pets outdoors helps to reduce the flea problem
indoors.
4. The homeowner must do the following just before the
flea treatment:
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Remove all items such as toys and pillows off the
floor or carpet
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Remove all articles from under beds, from closet floors,
and from under furniture
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Vacuum all upholstered furniture, floors, and carpeting,
paying particular attention to the foot of the furniture
on which the pet rests, under furniture, and wall-floor
junctions.
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The vacuum bag must be immediately removed and put
into a plastic garbage bag, the top sealed, and then placed
in an outside garbage receptacle or burned.
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Thoroughly clean all areas frequented by cats, e.g.
table tops, refrigerator tops, window sills, counters,
etc.
5. Mattresses, cracks and crevices in the floor, walls
and beds should be treated with insecticides.
6. Fleas may be brought into your home by rats and mice
infesting the house, so rodent control should also be
considered.
7. You will need SWAT
Pest Control for a thorough
solution.
Ticks:
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Ticks
are external parasites of animals and humans. They
are not insects, rather, they come under the same
grouping as spiders and other 8-legged creatures.
These blood-suckers are mostly encountered outdoors. |
Tick
bites are itchy and irritating. Mainly found on and transported
by domestic animals, they can bite and transmit diseases
to both pets and humans. The dog tick is most likely to
be encountered at home. While it seldom attacks humans,
it reduces the dog's vitality and causes the pet to be
irritable. The male tick is about 3mm long and reddish
brown in colour. The female looks the same, but can grow
to 12mm in length. The female dog tick engorges itself
by feeding on the dog's blood. It then leaves the dog
and finds a crack or crevice to lay some 1,000 - 3,000
eggs which hatch in about 2 - 8 weeks. Adult dog ticks
are usually found around the ears and neck, or between
the dog's toes. They are also often found on walls, curtains
and window sills.
CONTROL
1. If your dog has been infested
by dog ticks, bring your pet to the vet.
2. Clean the dog basket and places where the dog likes
to frequent.
3. Treat these places with an insecticide.
4. Seal all cracks and crevices in the house where ticks
can hide.
5. For a thorough and reliable service, call SWAT
Pest Controll.
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