Extension

Oklahomans are in the midst of cookout season, pool season and vacation season, but it’s also flea and tick season. If proper precautions aren’t taken, both humans and pets will suffer the consequences. Successful prevention and treatment includes both chemical and non-chemical methods.

 

Successful flea and tick management relies on Integrated Pest Management. Pets, pet areas, the landscape and the home must all be treated at the same time to prevent infestation.

 

Oklahoma is home to several species of ticks, including the American dog tick, lone star tick, blacklegged tick and the brown dog tick. These species can transmit diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease to humans. The normal life cycle of a tick from the larval stage until the adult lays eggs is usually a year or more.

 

The American dog tick can be found statewide but it is more abundant in wooded or partially wooded recreational areas. The lone star and blacklegged tick are most commonly found in wooded areas in eastern Oklahoma but have also been found in wooded areas in the western part of the state. The brown dog tick is common throughout the state.

 

It’s always a good idea to check your pet and yourself if you’ve spent time in wooded or weedy areas.

 

There are more than 2,000 varieties of fleas in the world. The cat flea is the most common flea found in urban areas and is an intermediate host of the tapeworm. Cat fleas lay eggs on the host, and some fall off and develop in pet bedding, carpet, and soil. These fleas thrive in conditions where the humidity is 50% or higher and the temperature is between 55 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Flea larvae don’t survive in direct sunlight or in standing water.

 

An easy, non-chemical method of prevention is to keep the lawn mowed. It’s important to prevent the buildup of tall grass, weeds or brush in fence lines or around shrubbery. Ticks thrive in shady areas and where pets are kept, including the kennel, dog house, porches and inside the home. Because of this, these areas plus the landscape must be treated at the same time.

 

Homeowners can also use gravel or wood chips between the lawn and wooded areas to help deter ticks.

 

There are a number of insecticides available for fleas and ticks. There are growth regulators available for yards that prevent fleas from reproducing. Read the label thoroughly to make sure you’re buying the right product and always follow label directions. It is recommended chemical families be alternated every other treatment to avoid insecticide resistance. These chemicals should not be mixed and applied in yards at the same time.

 

Regular pet grooming is a must. Bathe pets with a flea and tick shampoo or other treatments recommended by your veterinarian. A flea collar is another option for continual protection.

 

If the flea and tick population gets out of hand in the landscape, it may be time to call in a professional pest control specialist for more comprehensive treatment.

 

Reducing the pest population in the landscape protects both your pets and the family from bites and potential diseases.