Fleas and ticks can be a major nuisance, especially if you have animals and children in your home. Getting rid of fleas and ticks is much easier the earlier you detect their presence, so it helps to know what to look for. Below are five common signs that you and your pets could be facing a flea or tick infestation and may need to call an exterminator.

Flea & Tick Signs on Pets

1. Flea Eggs

Check your animals’ fur for the presence of flea eggs. These will be small white or clear specks in their coat and close to their skin, and they may appear similar to dandruff flakes. If you aren’t sure if what you’re seeing is dandruff or not, use a fine-toothed comb to brush the specks out of their fur and get a closer look. If they are eggs, contact an exterminator, and get flea medication from your pet’s veterinarian.

2. Frequent Scratching

Fleas will cause persistent itchiness, resulting in scratching, biting, or licking. While it’s not abnormal for your dog or cat to scratch themselves, scratching frequently throughout the day for a few days in a row indicates a problem. If you notice your pet scratching often, check their fur for fleas and eggs, and contact an exterminator if you find any.

3. Skin Problems

When your pet has had fleas for a while, all of the scratching and irritation will lead to skin issues, especially in dogs. Patches of irritated, flaky skin, also called hot spots, will begin to form, which can become infected. You may also notice scabs on your animal. If your dog or cat begins to develop hot spots or skin symptoms, you should have the vet rule out other causes to determine whether fleas are the issue.

4. Hair Loss

Sometimes, animals scratch, bite, and lick flea bites enough that it results in hair loss. This occurs when your animal bothers an area of its skin so much that the hair falls out, leaving a bald patch behind. Bald spots on animals can have other causes, so you should take a trip to the vet to determine if fleas are the cause.

5. Ticks on Ears, Head, & Feet

When it comes to ticks, it’s easy to identify a problem. Ticks are usually easily visible on your pet. Check your dog or cat for ticks every time they come indoors, especially around their head, in their ears, and on their feet. If you find several ticks on your pet after they come inside, you may have a tick nest nearby. Have an exterminator come out to check the area around your house for nests.

If you think you have a flea or tick problem, the exterminator experts at AllPest Pest Control & Wildlife Removal in Lewisburg, OH, can help. For almost 35 years, they’ve been providing essential pest control and wildlife services, including bedbug treatments, cockroach extermination, raccoon removal, and more throughout Preble, Darke, Montgomery and Miami counties. As a family owned and operated business, they understand how important it is to have a home free of pests. Their comprehensive services are affordable and effective. Whether you need bat removal or a termite inspection, you’ll receive thorough, attentive services. View their services online, and call (937) 884-5646 to schedule a service.