When people think of fleas and ticks, they often picture a few annoying bugs causing an occasional itch. But the truth is far more concerning. Fleas and ticks are not just nuisances—they pose serious health threats to both pets and people. In Middle Tennessee, where seasonal warmth and humidity create the perfect breeding grounds, these pests can quickly escalate from a minor problem to a full-blown infestation that affects your entire household.
At Brentwood Pest Control, we’ve seen firsthand how destructive fleas and ticks can be if left untreated. Understanding the dangers they present and taking proactive steps toward prevention is the key to keeping your family and pets safe year-round.
The Real Dangers of Fleas and Ticks
Fleas and ticks are more than just skin-deep annoyances. These small parasites can transmit serious diseases, trigger allergic reactions, and infest your home with alarming speed. Once established, they are notoriously difficult to eliminate without professional help.
The Risks for Pets
Your pets are the first line of exposure when it comes to fleas and ticks. Whether they pick them up during a walk, in the backyard, or from other animals, it doesn’t take long for these pests to spread.
Fleas, for instance, cause intense itching that leads to excessive scratching, fur loss, scabbing, and painful skin infections. In cases of heavy infestations, pets—especially puppies, kittens, or small dogs—can develop anemia due to significant blood loss. Fleas are also carriers of tapeworms and can transmit cat scratch disease, a bacterial infection that can affect both pets and humans.
Ticks, on the other hand, are vectors for several life-threatening illnesses. A tick bite can transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis—all of which can cause serious complications if not diagnosed and treated early. In some rare cases, pets can experience tick paralysis, a condition where a neurotoxin released by the tick leads to muscle weakness, loss of coordination, and even respiratory failure.
The Risks for Humans
Fleas and ticks aren’t just a danger to your pets—they can also impact your health and comfort.
Flea bites on humans typically appear as itchy, red welts, often concentrated around the ankles and lower legs. For some people, flea saliva can trigger allergic reactions, resulting in hives or secondary infections from scratching. Fleas can also serve as intermediate hosts for tapeworms, which can be accidentally ingested by children or adults.
Ticks pose a more serious health threat to humans. In Tennessee and the surrounding region, tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are increasingly common. These diseases can have lasting effects on the nervous system, joints, and heart. Early detection is critical, but many people don’t realize they’ve been bitten until symptoms appear—sometimes weeks later.
Infestations Start Fast—and Spread Faster
One of the most frustrating aspects of dealing with fleas is how quickly they reproduce. A single flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day, and these eggs can fall off your pet and land in carpets, rugs, furniture, and bedding. Within days, your home can become a breeding ground. Even if you treat your pet, untreated areas of your home can re-infest them in no time.
Ticks don’t multiply inside your home the way fleas do, but they’re incredibly resilient outdoors. They thrive in tall grass, brush, leaf litter, and shaded areas—common features in Middle Tennessee yards. Once a tick latches onto a host, it can go undetected for days.
Protecting Your Pets and Family: Year-Round Prevention Is Key
The good news is that with consistent effort and professional help, you can stay ahead of fleas and ticks. Prevention should be a year-round effort—not just during the warmer months—because fleas and ticks can survive indoors even in winter.
Here’s what you can do:
Start by ensuring your pets are on veterinarian-approved flea and tick prevention treatments year-round. Monthly topical solutions, oral medications, and collars are all effective when used consistently.
In your home, regular vacuuming of carpets, upholstery, and pet bedding is essential. It removes adult fleas, eggs, and larvae before they can hatch and multiply. Be sure to empty the vacuum bag or canister immediately to prevent re-infestation.
Wash pet bedding, blankets, and toys frequently in hot water, and dry them on the highest heat setting. Heat kills both fleas and their eggs.
Outdoors, maintain a well-groomed yard. Ticks love tall grass, dense vegetation, and shaded areas. Mow your lawn regularly, clear leaf litter, and keep shrubs trimmed. If your pet plays in the yard, consider fencing off wild or overgrown areas and using pet-safe insecticides where necessary.
Make it a habit to inspect your pets for ticks after any time spent outdoors, especially around the ears, under the collar, and between the toes. Early removal is critical to preventing disease transmission.
Finally, consult your veterinarian for tailored recommendations based on your pet’s age, weight, lifestyle, and health history. They can help you choose the best prevention strategy and detect early signs of flea or tick-related illness.
When Prevention Isn’t Enough, Call the Experts
Even the most diligent pet owners can find themselves facing a flea or tick problem. These pests are persistent, adaptable, and capable of surviving in the most unexpected places. That’s why professional pest control is often necessary for complete elimination.
At Brentwood Pest Control, we specialize in residential pest management using a customized, environmentally friendly approach. Our team will assess your home and yard, identify problem areas, and apply safe, effective treatments designed to eliminate fleas and ticks at every stage of life. We don’t just treat the problem—we help prevent it from coming back.
With monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, and one-time services, our flexible plans fit your needs and budget. We use proven methods and state-of-the-art technology to ensure your family and pets are protected year-round.
Don’t Let Fleas and Ticks Take Over Your Home
The health and safety of your family—including the four-legged members—shouldn’t be compromised by pests. Fleas and ticks are more than an inconvenience; they’re a serious health risk that requires immediate attention.
Call Brentwood Pest Control today at (615) 417-1243 or visit www.brentwoodpest.com to schedule a consultation. Our expert team will work with you to eliminate existing infestations and create a customized prevention plan that keeps your home pest-free all year long.
Protect your pets. Protect your family. Let Brentwood Pest Control take care of the rest.