Fleas and Ticks in Ellis County: Keeping Your Family and Pets Comfortable
Our pets love the outdoors as much as we do, and in North Texas that means keeping an eye out for fleas and ticks from spring through fall. Here are simple, research-based answers to common questions.
How do I get rid of fleas in my house and yard?
Texas A&M AgriLife says the key is treating the pet and its surroundings at the same time:
Pets: Talk to your veterinarian about the best flea product for your pet. A flea comb and a bath help with light infestations.
Home: Wash pet bedding often and vacuum thoroughly, including under furniture and along walls. Empty the vacuum into an outdoor trash bin.
Yard: Focus only on flea hot spots: shady, moist places where pets rest, like under decks and shrubs. Sunny, well-kept lawns rarely need treatment.
Flea pupae are hard to kill, so AgriLife recommends a follow-up treatment 10 to 14 days after the first.
How often should I treat my yard for fleas?
Texas A&M AgriLife says fleas don't survive well in hot, sunny lawns, so treat only the moist, shady spots where your pets rest, at the same time you treat your pet. Because flea pupae are hard to kill, AgriLife recommends a follow-up treatment 10 to 14 days after the first. Always follow the product label.
What does a lone star tick look like?
The lone star tick is one of the two most common ticks in Texas. The adult female has a single bright spot on her back, which is where the name comes from. Adults are most active in spring (about March to May), nymphs from about April to July, and tiny "seed tick" larvae from about June to August. They live in tall grass, brush, and along wooded edges.
How do I safely remove a tick?
General guidance from the CDC and Texas A&M AgriLife:
Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with fine-tipped tweezers.
Pull straight out with steady, even pressure. Don't twist, jerk, burn it, or cover it with petroleum jelly or other substances.
Clean the bite and your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer.
AgriLife notes you can save the tick in a sealed bag or bottle; Texas residents can submit ticks to the Texas Department of State Health Services for identification and testing at no charge. If you get a rash or fever in the weeks after a tick bite, see your doctor and mention the bite. For other questions, call the Texas Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. This is general information, not medical advice.
How do I keep ticks away?
AgriLife suggests:
Wear light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot.
Tuck pants into socks or boots in tall grass or brush.
Use an EPA-approved tick repellent.
Do a tick check after being outdoors (behind the ears, scalp, waistline, and underarms), and check your pets too.
Related guides: mosquitoes · fire ants in your yard
Local service: Pest control services in Waxahachie · Ovilla pest control
Need a hand?
If you'd rather have a local pro take a look, Stroope Pest Control is happy to help. We're locally owned, right here in Ellis County, and we serve Waxahachie, Red Oak, Midlothian, Ennis, Ovilla, Glenn Heights, Italy, and Forreston.
When you have problems, we have solutions. Call (972) 938-2129.
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