Fleas & Ticks: How These Pests Affect Both Humans and Pets—and What You Can Do About It

Fleas and ticks are more than just annoying pests—they’re a serious health risk to both people and pets. These tiny parasites can carry diseases, cause painful bites, and infest homes faster than you might expect. Whether you're a pet parent, an outdoor enthusiast, or both, understanding how fleas and ticks operate is the first step toward protecting your family—furry members included.

In this guide, we’ll break down what you need to know about fleas and ticks, how they impact humans and animals, and the most effective ways to prevent an infestation.

Fleas 101 – What Pet Owners Need to Know

What Does a Flea Look Like?

Fleas are small, dark brown insects about 1/8 inch long. They’re wingless but powerful jumpers, allowing them to leap between hosts and surfaces. Their flattened bodies help them navigate through fur or hair, making them difficult to spot unless you know what to look for.

Where Do Fleas Come From?

Fleas thrive in warm, humid environments and often hitch a ride into your home on pets or clothing. Outdoor areas like tall grass, shady spots, and wildlife zones are breeding grounds. Once inside, they can quickly spread, especially in carpet, upholstery, and pet bedding.

Can Humans Get Fleas?

Yes—humans can get fleas, although we’re not their preferred host. Fleas may bite people when pets aren’t around or during a full-blown infestation. While they usually don’t live on human skin, they can cause itchy welts and transmit diseases such as typhus or flea-borne spotted fever.

How Long Can Fleas Live Without a Host?

Fleas can survive for up to two weeks without feeding on a host, and their eggs can remain dormant for months. That means even after pets are treated, fleas can linger in carpets, furniture, and cracks in the floor until another host becomes available.

Flea Bites on Humans and Pets

Flea bites are small, red bumps often grouped in clusters. On humans, they usually appear around the ankles or legs. On pets, bites lead to excessive scratching, hair loss, and skin infections. If untreated, fleas can cause anemia in small animals due to blood loss.

How to Tell If Your Dog (or Cat) Has Fleas

Signs include frequent scratching, biting at the skin, hair thinning, and small black specks (flea dirt) in their fur. You might also see live fleas moving through the coat or jumping off the pet. Regular grooming and flea combs can help detect them early.

Can Indoor Cats Get Fleas?

Absolutely. Fleas can enter the home on clothing, other pets, or even through open windows. Indoor cats are still vulnerable—especially if your home has a yard or if other animals visit regularly.

Fleas vs. Bed Bugs

While both pests cause itchy bites, they’re quite different. Fleas jump and prefer animals, while bed bugs crawl and feed mainly on humans. Bed bug bites often appear in a straight line, while flea bites are more randomly scattered and focused on lower limbs.

Ticks – The Hidden Dangers in Your Backyard

What Do Ticks Look Like?

Ticks are small, oval-shaped arachnids. They start about the size of a sesame seed and swell after feeding. Their color varies depending on the species and feeding status—some are brown, reddish, or black. They attach themselves to the skin of pets and humans to feed on blood.

Types of Ticks That Affect Pets and People

Common species include:

• Deer ticks (Black-legged ticks) – known for spreading Lyme disease.
• American dog ticks – carriers of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
• Brown dog ticks – thrive indoors and infest kennels or homes.

Each type prefers different habitats and poses unique risks.

Tick Bites on Humans and Pets

Tick bites are usually painless at first but can become itchy or inflamed. A visible tick may still be attached. On pets, ticks are often found around the ears, neck, and between toes. Prompt and proper removal is key to preventing disease transmission.

Do All Ticks Carry Disease?

Not all ticks are infected, but many do carry harmful pathogens. A single bite from an infected tick can transmit Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and more. The risk increases the longer the tick stays attached.

Dog Tick Diseases

Dogs can contract several diseases from ticks, including:

• Lyme disease – causes lameness, fever, and joint swelling.
• Ehrlichiosis – leads to lethargy, weight loss, and bruising.
• Anaplasmosis – similar to Lyme symptoms with possible neurological effects.

Untreated tick-borne illnesses in pets can become severe, even life-threatening.

How Long Do Ticks Live?

Ticks can live for several months to a few years, depending on the species and access to hosts. They go through four life stages—egg, larva, nymph, and adult—and can survive for long periods without feeding between stages.

How to Protect Your Family—Pets and Humans Alike

Preventing Fleas and Ticks on Pets

• Use vet-recommended flea and tick preventatives like topical treatments or oral medications.
• Keep your pet’s bedding clean and wash it regularly.
• Groom your pets often and check their skin after outdoor activities.

Yard and Home Prevention

• Mow your lawn regularly and clear tall grasses or brush where ticks hide.
• Treat your yard with pet-safe insect control products.
• Vacuum frequently, especially around pet sleeping areas and furniture.

Personal Protection for Humans

• Wear long sleeves and pants in wooded or grassy areas.
• Use insect repellents containing DEET or permethrin.
• Always check yourself, your kids, and your pets after spending time outdoors.

Call a Professional

For larger infestations or ongoing issues, it’s best to bring in experts. Professional pest control ensures that both fleas and ticks are treated at every life stage, reducing the risk of re-infestation.

If you're dealing with a flea or tick problem, or want to prevent one, contact CMS Landscaping for expert pest control solutions tailored to your yard and lifestyle. We’ll help you enjoy your outdoor space without the worry.