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Dear Dr. Joe: Two months ago our dog got loose and ended up in the city pound. We are now seeing a few small ticks around her sleeping area. I think that we got all of them but do we need professional pest treatment?
Lisa C. Coral Springs, Fl
Dear Lisa: Yes, you do. These baby ticks are the result of one or more eggs hatching. I would suggest that you have your home and your yard treated. Ticks do not stay on an animal, so believe me, you did not get them all. They only attach to the dog to get a blood meal which allows them to become fertile. They then drop to the ground, lay their eggs in cracks or crevices and look for another meal. Look towards the ceiling and behind picture frames. Ticks have a tendency to move to higher places. You may see small black dots about the size of a pinhead up where the ceiling meets the walls. When you scrape those off, you will see that they are small ticks. They can be many places. If the dog hangs around the kid's beds, be sure to check all around those rooms.
This is one case where I strongly recommend that you get a pest control company. Be sure that they treat your entire yard, especially the trees and shrubs. Ticks will usually climb up so that they can jump and attach themselves to a host as it walks by. Ticks can live almost one year without feeding, but as soon as they feed, usually on an animal, they get off and lay their eggs bringing thousands of baby ticks ready to grow and start the process all over again. Inside the house, be sure that the technician treats all areas of the house but also behind the picture frames and cracks around the windows and doors. I seriously doubt that the bombs that you buy at the supermarket or Do-It Yourself centers will do the job for you.
Be sure that you get your dog dipped on the same day you have your house exterminated.
I would suggest that you put your dog on Frontline. That will save you a lot of aggravation and your pet will live a longer and healthier life.
Good day, God bless, and may all your bad bugs swarm to your enemies.
Joe Bugs
