Fleas and ticks can hitch a ride into your home on your favorite four-legged friend. But if you find them before they spread, you can stop an infestation. Learn how to inspect your pet when they come in from the outdoors to ensure pests don’t sneak in with them.

3 Tips to Find Fleas & Ticks on Your Pet

1. Perform a Visual Check 

To perform a visual check, have your pet lie on their side or stomach. Inspect their fur and the skin underneath for fleas and ticks, as well as flea droppings, which look like small black specks.

2. Try the Towel Test 

For pets with dark hair, visual checks may not reveal anything to the eye. Have your pet lie down on a light-colored towel. As you brush them, look for insects or droppings collecting on the towel. You can distinguish flea droppings from dirt by wetting them—they’ll look more reddish brown.

3. Use a Flea Comb

Using a flea comb is easier and more thorough than trying to search through your pet’s hair and pull out insects by hand. These combs are equipped with close rows of teeth to scoop out fleas and ticks from fur. To stop them from spreading throughout your home, have a bowl of hot water handy. Once you’re done combing your pet’s fur, dunk the comb in the bowl of hot water to kill any insects. 

If fleas and ticks have invaded your home, turn to Dick’s Fumigation Services in Wailuku, HI. For more than 65 years, they’ve been one of Maui’s leading pest control companies, handling everything from termite treatments to bedbug infestations. Call them today at (808) 244-7496 to schedule a free home inspection, and visit them online for a complete list of services.