Tick & Flea Control in Fort Worth, TX

What happens during ABC’s initial inspection?

If it makes the most sense to send one of our experts to your home to develop the most effective treatment plan, we will schedule an in-person visit as quickly as possible. During the inspection, your pest control specialist will:

• Ask you questions about your current pest problem to get a better understanding of how these pests might have been introduced to your home or yard, as well as to determine the severity and extent of the infestation
• Assess your property for signs of the pests and pinpoint areas with high pest activity
• If necessary, confirm the species of pest on your property
• Determine if there are any unique factors that could make your home or yard more vulnerable to a tick or flea infestation
• Answer any and all questions about ABC’s treatment options and protocol for pest control

As we finish your inspection, we will provide you with a complimentary estimate. Once you have given us your approval, we will schedule a treatment call and provide you with steps that you should take prior to your first treatment. This might include visiting a veterinarian before we begin treatment so your pets can be put on a flea control regimen and vacuuming rooms with high flea activity.

What are some of the signs that may indicate I have a flea problem?

The most common sign you have a flea issue? Pets that are scratching excessively. Although most of us who notice this immediately conclude fleas are the culprit, you’ll want to keep in mind that pets may scratch themselves for many reasons. To make things more confusing, you may be surprised to learn that some pets may not scratch themselves even if they do have fleas.

Here are a few of the most common clues you could have a flea infestation:

• Pets excessively licking and biting their fur
• Bites on the ankles or feet of the human members of your household
• Blackish brown dots briefly appearing on the outside of your socks while walking across carpeted areas
• Black specks falling off your pets when you brush their fur

Just a few fleas can quickly turn into a full-blown infestation, because these creatures reproduce rapidly. This is why it’s important to contact a pest control professional promptly after recognizing the signs of fleas on your property.

What types of treatments do you provide for customers with flea problems?

The experts at ABC know that a holistic approach is often the best way to handle flea and tick infestations. Our treatment plans typically begin by applying scientifically-proven solutions to the inside of your home. We then move to the attic, crawl spaces and out into your yard. Fully treating your property and allowing the product to dry takes a few hours to complete. We usually recommend to our customers that their family and pets should plan to be away while the treatment is taking place.

Our treatment program also includes a follow-up appointment because, currently, there are no products on the market that can penetrate a flea cocoon. In addition to applying treatments to target adult fleas, ABC experts use products that regulate insect growth. This means that active ingredients prevent flea eggs from developing into adults. At your follow-up visits, our experts will check that these treatment solutions have disrupted the life cycle of the fleas on your property and confirm that your problem has been resolved.

What do you ask your customers do to before a flea treatment plan can begin?

To ensure our treatments are as effective as possible, we provide clients with a pre-treatment checklist. We will confirm that you have completed this list before treatment begins.

This list can vary, but typically includes:

• Cleaning all of the floors in your home by vacuuming, sweeping and mopping
• Raking leaves, cutting the grass and generally tidying up the yard
• Picking up clutter around your home
• Washing or replacing pet bedding, depending on what your specialist advises
• Putting your pets on a veterinarian prescribed flea control regimen

How do fleas enter a home?

If fleas are inside your home, it’s likely that your pets brought these pests in with them after coming into contact with other animals that are infested. What many homeowners don’t realize is that fleas and ticks can also make it onto your property on the fur of other wildlife, including raccoons, mice or squirrels. By leaving water and food out for your pets, you may be attracting these animals to your property, putting you at greater risk for a flea or tick problem. This explains why you can have an issue with these pests without having a dog or cat.

Can’t I just treat fleas on my own?

Many people assume that they will save money by handling fleas on their own. While it is true that you can purchase flea bombs and other products, you may not realize that these products are often far less effective than what pest control professionals have on hand. The impact of bombs, in particular, is especially disappointing. Many homeowners find they are more likely to cause more harm than good. When you set off a flea bomb, the fleas sense they are in danger, so they burrow deeper into their hiding spots where the fog does not reach. Also, these products don’t just target fleas—they also land on surrounding surfaces such as counters, tables and couches, which leaves a residue many homeowners would rather avoid.

Furthermore, flea control products cannot kill fleas eggs or larvae. Homeowners will need to use different products over a longer period of time to ensure that any flea product reaches fleas at the right stage of life.

Additionally, many homeowners find that their flea control products might kill fleas inside the house, but don’t get rid of an infestation. Dogs, cats or other wildlife living in your home will continue to bring fleas inside if treatment measures don’t include both indoors and out and address how these pests are getting inside. A pest control expert from ABC can provide the best treatments and tips for controlling the fleas on your property and addressing other pest issues that might be causing an infestation.

What impact do the treatments you use have on my kids, pets and the environment?

We’re a family-owned and operated business, so we understand how important family is. We only choose products we would use in our own homes and only select those that are specifically formulated for residential use. During your initial inspection, we will create a treatment plan tailored to your specific situation. Our promise is that we will apply products in the lowest possible concentration of chemicals possible that will still get the job done.

If you have specific questions about the products we use, your highly-trained pest control professional would be happy to answer any questions and address any concerns.