Our mild, Southern California climate allows us to enjoy the outdoors year-round. Unfortunately, that year-round enjoyment is often hampered by biting insects such as fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks. Whether you are lounging by the pool or enjoying a backyard barbecue, these insects can sure put a damper on things. Instead of letting them destroy your plans, call us today and stop dealing with these pests.

Fleas

A common misconception about fleas is that they only invade homes with pets. They can't fly, but they can jump up to six inches high and thirteen inches long and can hop from an infected animal to a nice cozy spot in your yard. Wild animals like raccoons, rats, and opossums can carry them, adding culprits who can put your yard at risk. 

Females lay eggs on a host, typically a furry mammal such as a dog or cat. The eggs then roll off the host and into your yard, carpeting, or other surroundings. They will then go through several transformations before eventually becoming adults. The entire process takes around 21 days in most cases. Conventional treatments mostly target the problem of adults and do little to combat eggs or pupae. As such, you may notice a re-infestation only a short time later. When treating fleas, you must address your pets, home, and yard. If you are struggling with an infestation, please contact us for effective treatment solutions.

Ticks

Ticks are tiny arachnids that dine on the blood of humans and animals. Ninety different tick species are found in the United States, many of which carry diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease. It's also possible to contract multiple diseases from a single tick bite. Ticks latch onto their hosts through a process known as "questing," which involves perching onto a leaf blade by holding it with their third and fourth set of legs. They then stretch out their front legs to grab a human or animal. From there, the tick will crawl around until it reaches the ideal spot for sucking blood. Keeping your grass and hedges trimmed may discourage them, but it will not eliminate the issue. You'll need a commercial pest control application if you genuinely desire a tick-free yard.

Mosquitoes

There are around 175 different species of mosquitoes in the United States. Although they are tiny creatures, they can drink up to three times their body weight in blood. Only females suck blood and they bite when protein from blood is needed to help their eggs develop. That doesn't mean the bites are not problematic, as they can transmit malaria, chikungunya, and other diseases.

Mosquitoes are also a carrier of heartworm disease in dogs. The worms can enter the heart and lungs, where they can cause significant damage or even death. An adult can live up to six months, although most will survive only a couple of weeks. Their eggs, however, can lie dormant for up to eight months and will still hatch. A female mosquito needs only a small amount of water to deposit her eggs and the morning dew settling on a blade of grass is enough to create a maternity ward.

Getting rid of pests, such as fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, requires an aggressive approach. Here at 101 Gopher and Pest Control, we offer responsible solutions that can rid your yard of biting insects, while still making it possible for you and your pets to enjoy being outside. Please contact us to learn more.