Alta Sierra Pest Control » Featured Pest Articles http://www.altasierrapestcontrol.com Just another WordPress weblog Wed, 13 Jul 2011 04:14:41 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Top 5 Ways To Know If Your Pet Has Fleas http://www.altasierrapestcontrol.com/pest-control-learning-center-video/pets-pests/top-5-ways-to-know-if-your-pet-has-fleas/ http://www.altasierrapestcontrol.com/pest-control-learning-center-video/pets-pests/top-5-ways-to-know-if-your-pet-has-fleas/#comments Sat, 27 Feb 2010 03:59:10 +0000 admin http://www.altasierrapestcontrol.com/?p=209 PETS & PESTS – Fleas

So my birthday was coming up and I asked for a Beagle puppy. Well, we ended up getting two. Sisters. And they came with a special bonus … fleas!


To say the least, seeing those little puppies scratching and nipping at their hindquarters was horrifying to me. Now they were on my front room carpet and I could just see the fleas bouncing off their unwitting hosts and swan diving into my carpet. I was ‘itching’ for days to follow. Certainly this was all conjured up in my mind (the swan dive anyway), but nevertheless, it was unacceptable!

If you think your pet has fleas, here are the tell tale signs to look for.

Top 5 Ways to know if your pet has fleas:

1.Flea Dirt: If flea dirt is visible on your pet, you can be assured that fleas are present. Flea dirt, as it is commonly referred to, is nothing more than flea feces (digested blood). Flea feces can be identified by placing some of the ‘dirt’ (which looks like black specks) on a wet paper towel. You will know this is flea dirt if it spreads out like a small blood stain within a few minutes.

2.Itching and Wimpering: If your pet is scratching constantly, primarily on the lower back, tail and the abdomen surrounding the urogenital and anal opening, he more than likely has fleas. Wimpering for no apparent reason could also be an indication that fleas are biting and feeding on your pet.

3.Skin Irritation and Hair Loss: When you inspect down into your pets fur, you will see irritation on the skin. You may also see spots of hair loss as well.


4.Bites on you: Bug bites on your feet, ankles and calves may appear. These bites are generally small and red. They are typically hard and cause more pain than itching. But you will more than likely notice if fleas have been biting you.

5.Physically Visible on Skin: Fleas can sometimes be seen moving in a hurried, agitated way along the surface of the skin. They appear as tiny, dark copper colored dots. They are more likely to hide in ‘darkness’, such as the fur of your pet, since they have an aversion to light.

*Although the 5 ways listed above will give you a good idea of whether your pet is suffering from fleas or not, diagnosis and treatment should be made by a licensed veterinarian. A Veterinarian may take a thorough history of your pets health and perform a physical exam. If fleas are not visible, a skin-allergy test may be performed. Whether your pet is suffering from fleas or a malady of a different sort, a veterinarian will be able to develop a treatment plan specifically tailored for your pet’s needs. This can include oral antibiotic and/or anti-parasitic medication.

Remember, the life cycle of the flea makes it a formidable opponent and it is imperative that you treat the host animal as well as the indoor and outdoor environment. Once fleas establish themselves in your home, your pet or your outdoor environment, it may take several treatments to eliminate them. Therefore, do not take a flea infestation lightly. Strict eradication is the only effective treatment for fleas.


The good news is that you will know your efforts have been successful when your pet experiences decreased scratching and healthy skin.

]]> http://www.altasierrapestcontrol.com/pest-control-learning-center-video/pets-pests/top-5-ways-to-know-if-your-pet-has-fleas/feed/ 9 What’s Buggin’ you? A PAIN IN THE ANTS http://www.altasierrapestcontrol.com/featured/what%e2%80%99s-buggin%e2%80%99-you-a-pain-in-the-ants/ http://www.altasierrapestcontrol.com/featured/what%e2%80%99s-buggin%e2%80%99-you-a-pain-in-the-ants/#comments Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:45:38 +0000 admin http://www.altasierrapestcontrol.com/newsite/?p=12 A Pain in the ANTS –

So you’re wondering why these creepy crawly little pests are invading your space! I hear it all the time, people who want to know… “why me?”. Well, let me put your mind to rest, it isn’t personal! Let me explain.

In many cases, ants are looking for the same things humans are. Warmth, water, food and a home of their own. Many species of ants found in our area have broad diets and thrive on human food. Worker ants will search for their chow of choice, carrying some back to the others residing in the nest. This is when you will see long columns marching one by one in and around your home or workplace. Such species as the fire ant, thief ant, crazy ant, pharaoh ant and cornfield ant will eat both sweets and fats. Carpenter ants, pavement ants, velvety tree ants, honey ants and odorous house ants are what may be referred to as “sweet-preferring” ants. You will notice that when we experience heavy rainfall, the normal diet of honeydew from trees is washed away, this is what drives many species of ants into our homes looking for a substitute food source. Once they know where to find suitable food, they will invade in large numbers, establishing scent trails between the nest and the food.

Because of the diverse nesting and breeding habits of ants, the food and moisture requirements vary. It is important to make sure that your home is protected.

Keeping the health of the occupants of your home or structure as the first priority, we offer several different approved pest control techniques for the treatment of ants. These methods may include handspraying, dusting, fogging, baiting and the use of residual crack and crevice aerosol products among other treatments. Because each occurrence is different, treatments will be employed as applicable in specific situations.

Ants are an unwelcome sight and can be unnerving, disrupting your peaceful home or building. It is for this reason that we suggest a recurring service plan for residential or commercial properties. This will maintain a healthy barrier around your structure should ants come looking for food and shelter from the elements.

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