It seems the question I posed earlier this year is beginning to be answered.  For those of you that didn’t see the post-I asked  if the unusually cold winter would have a profound affect on flea and tick populations in Houston.  I was hopeful that it would since many experts have hypothesized that the burgeoning flea and tick numbers were partly due to our mild and wet  Houston winters.  It certainly seems logical then that a really cold winter like the one we just experienced would reduce the breeding population of fleas and ticks. 

At first blush it doesn’t seem like the cold affected the fleas that much.  We have already had close to half a dozen calls just for fleas and it’s not even June yet.  The ticks haven’t been as plentiful yet but we have had a few reports.  A relatively dry spring here in Houston is most likely helping us on both fronts.  Most insect pests need moisture to thrive and fleas and ticks are no exception.  The less rain we get the less blood suckers we’ll encounter including the infamous mosquito.

Either way it’s always best to be proactive so I’ve added a few tips to keep you ahead of  the curve.

1. Keep your pets on the preventive flea and tick treatments year round.

Advantage

Frontline

 

2. Protect your home from feral or wild animal entry.

This means sealing up holes in the exterior of your home to prevent animals like raccoons, possums, and even feral cats from taking up residence under or in your house.  The average raccoon has hundreds of fleas on it so it only takes one to start an infestation in your home.  It’s also a good idea to keep bird feeders and trash away from you house as these food sources attract the animals mentioned above.

 

3. Keep landscaping under control.

OK….we all like landscaping, but just as everything good in life moderation is the key.  The less ground cover the better for fleas.  This is because they like to hang out in dense moist areas.  Ticks also thrive in grassy bushy areas where they can lie in wait until they sense movement and jump on the closest fur bearing animal… which is many times your dog.  Keep landscaping in check and you’ll  keep the fleas in check as well.

 

 

 

 

Firewood stacked up against a house is like an open invitation to termites to come eat your home.   Subterranean termites will be drawn to most any type of wood debris and from there they will eventually make their way into your home.  This is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make.  If you’re going to pile wood up somewhere make sure that it isn’t touching your home.  Store it against a fence away from the structure and up off the ground to keep it from becoming an easy termite snack.

Wood piles also attract roaches, spiders, millipedes, crickets, lizards and snakes….just to name a few.  Keep them away from your house and you’ll be keeping the bugs away as well.

I thought I had a pretty good picture of this little guy but he’s got some natural camo between his coloring an the pollen on his legs.  No bees were harmed in the making of this photo.

This is what happens when you have too much time on your hands.