Fleas and ticks are super annoying. There is no doubt about it. Sometimes, they’re more than annoying. They can make your pet sick or even make you sick. These parasites are known to spread a long list of diseases. That’s why we’ve put together this quick flea and tick prevention and control guide. In this guide, you’ll learn the difference between fleas and ticks in Tucson, what is required to keep fleas out of your yard, what is required to keep ticks out of your yard, and what works for both.

The Difference Between Fleas And Ticks

Fleas are six-legged insects. Fleas begin life as flea larvae, which are worm-like. Flea larvae create a cocoon, develop into pupae, and emerge from cocoons as adult insects. There are different types of fleas but cat fleas are the most common flea pests that plague cats, dogs, and humans in Tucson. 

Ticks are eight-legged arachnids. They begin life as seed ticks which look like six-legged ticks. There are different types of ticks in Arizona. The most common tick pests are black-legged ticks, Lone Star ticks, American dog ticks, and brown dog ticks.

Both fleas and ticks get onto furry animals and live on them. Hitching a ride on a host animal is how these pests get inside Tucson homes. They don’t spring or crawl into your home on their own.

How To Keep Fleas Out Of Your Yard

There are a few preventative measures that can make it more difficult for fleas to live in your yard.

• Keep grass cut just above two inches. Short grass is not a preference for ants and spiders, which feed on fleas.
• Remove leaves, branches, and other organic clutter. These provide a breeding site.
• Trim your landscape vegetation to allow the sunlight in. Fleas prefer darkness.
• Address moisture issues. Fleas prefer moist habitats.

How To Keep Ticks Out Of Your Yard

• Don’t let your grass grow too high. Ticks have a preference for cool habitats, which are provided by tall grass. They also use tall grass as a perch to cling to animals as they pass by. This is called questing.
• Remove weeds and unnecessary vegetation from your landscaping. This reduces moisture and allows the sunlight in to warm things up. This is another way to keep it cool.
• Ticks don’t like walking across wood chips or gravel. These can be used to create natural barriers to deter ticks.
• Remove shredded mulch from your landscaping. This type of mulch tends to stay cool and moist, which is perfect for ticks. 

Flea And Tick Prevention 

Both of these pests come into your yard on animals. If you take steps to control wildlife on your property, you can keep fleas and ticks out of your yard and, more importantly, out of your home.

• Remove bird feeders or put them at least 20 feet from your exterior.
• Keep garbage in covered containers and secure your containers so that they cannot be knocked over.
• Use fencing material to protect voids underneath structures, such as decks or sheds.
• Move woodpiles, scrap wood, construction materials, wood pallets, and other wood sources away from your exterior.
• Remove yard clutter.
• Trim your plants near the base of each so that small animals can’t find a place to hide.

The Best Way To Stop Fleas And Ticks In Arizona

Arizona fleas and ticks can be addressed with routine pest control treatments. These treatments keep fleas and ticks from establishing themselves and hitching a ride into your home. If you live in Tucson, reach out to Pest Friends for assistance with flea and tick control.