What are fleas and ticks?

Fleas and ticks are both external parasitic pests that feed on the blood of people and animals. Fleas are about the size of a fleck of dirt and have hard, flat bodies that are shiny and dark reddish-brown in color. These pests are wingless, but have powerful back legs that allow them to jump to great distances. Fleas also have specialized spines on their mouth, legs, and backs to prevent them from falling off their hosts. Unlike fleas, ticks are not insects. They are actually arachnids and are closely related to spiders. These pests use their specialized mouthparts to grasp the skin of their victims, pierce their skin, and insert a feeding tube to feed on their blood. One of the most common species of ticks found in our area is the lone star tick. Lone star ticks are brown in color and the females have a unique white spot in the middle of their backs that helps to distinguish them.