Flea and Tick Control
Updated November 6, 2026
Pick the state
Safety
Keep people and pets out of treated areas until all products have dried and the technician confirms re-entry is safe. Remove or cover food, dishes, toys, and pet bedding before treatment, and store any pesticides in original labeled containers away from children. Never mix products or layer over-the-counter sprays on top of a professional application without guidance. Wash hands after handling treated pets or surfaces, and report any reaction to a bite or product exposure to a medical or veterinary professional right away.
Before the visit
Before a flea and tick control visit, vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery and discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister outside. Wash pet bedding in hot water, mow tall grass, and clear leaf litter, brush piles, and debris where ticks hide. Bathe pets and use a veterinarian-approved preventive, then arrange for pets to stay out of the home during treatment. Clear access to baseboards, closets, pet resting spots, crawl space doors, and the yard perimeter so the technician can treat thoroughly.
Repair vs replace
Request a follow-up treatment when fleas are still jumping on pets or people one to two weeks after the initial service, when new tick sightings continue indoors, or when eggs hatch in areas that were missed. Flea life cycles often require a second application, so a scheduled re-treatment within the recommended window is a normal part of control rather than a sign of failure. Also call for service again if wildlife returns to den under porches or in crawl spaces after the original treatment.
When to replace
Replace pet collars, spot-on products, and yard sprays once they pass their expiration date or stop performing as directed. Swap out worn door sweeps, torn window screens, and gaps in crawl space vents or garage seals that let wildlife carrying fleas and ticks get close to the home. Discard any pesticide container that is leaking, rusted, or unlabeled, and dispose of it according to local hazardous-waste rules rather than pouring it out or trashing it loose.
Common issues
| Symptom | Likely causes | Safe check | Stop when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pets scratching, biting, or licking excessively | Flea bites, flea allergy dermatitis, or irritation from other biting pests | Comb the pet with a fine-tooth flea comb over a white towel and look for small dark specks that turn reddish when dampened | The pet develops open sores, hair loss, pale gums, or lethargy; contact a veterinarian promptly |
| Small red itchy bites, often around ankles and lower legs | Fleas emerging from carpets, pet bedding, or shaded yard areas | Wash the bites with soap and water, apply a cold compress, and note whether they appear in clusters or lines | Bites swell severely, show signs of infection, or come with fever; seek medical care |
| Ticks found attached to people or pets after time outdoors | Ticks waiting in tall grass, brush, leaf litter, or along yard and trail edges | Remove the tick with fine-tipped tweezers by pulling straight out without twisting, clean the area, and keep the tick in a sealed bag for identification | A rash, fever, fatigue, or joint pain develops in the weeks after a bite; contact a healthcare provider |
| Tiny dark specks or pepper-like dust on pet bedding, carpets, or furniture | Flea dirt, which is digested blood left behind by adult fleas feeding on pets | Dab the specks with a damp white cloth; a reddish smear points to flea activity | Specks keep reappearing after cleaning and pets keep scratching; request a professional inspection |
| Fleas seen jumping onto socks or furniture in rooms with no pets | A breeding population in carpets, floor cracks, or under furniture, often left by a previous pet or by wildlife in a crawlspace | Wear light-colored socks and walk slowly through suspect rooms; fleas show up as small dark dots against the fabric | Daily sightings continue despite vacuuming and pet treatment; schedule a treatment visit |
| Wildlife such as raccoons, opossums, skunks, or stray cats crossing the yard | Droppings, dens, or regular travel paths that drop fleas and ticks near the home | Observe from a distance, secure trash cans, and avoid touching animals or droppings | Animals nest under porches, decks, or in the crawlspace; arrange removal before treating for pests |
| Tick encounters even in mowed lawn areas | Overhanging branches, unmowed borders, or wildlife carrying ticks into maintained spaces | Add a gravel or mulch barrier between lawn edges and wooded areas, and check clothing and skin after yard work | Ticks are found indoors or on family members repeatedly; request a yard assessment |