Quiz: The Truth About Fleas and Ticks

Those tiny, wingless insects that feed on blood can cause more than itching and irritation: They also can carry bacteria, host tapeworms, and cause skin allergies. Fleas can eat 15 times their own body weight in blood daily. That can lead to anemia. Fleas are most dangerous to puppies, kittens, and older animals.

If your pet has fleas, they'll probably scratch, lick, or bite at their skin. Your furry friend might also have pale gums, hair loss, and areas on their coat that are red and irritated. (Tthe gums might be pale because of blood loss or anemia). Comb through your pet's fur. If you see small, fast-moving shapes, your pet has fleas. Black spots are "flea dirt," or dried blood left by the critters. Tiny white grains on the fur could be eggs.

If you think your home has a flea problem, try this: Put on a pair of white socks and pull them up to your knees, and then walk where your pet sleeps, rests, and eats. Fleas, attracted to the warmth and movement as you walk, will latch onto your feet and ankles. It will be easy to see their dark bodies against the white socks.

Fleas reproduce quickly, and for every one you see bugging your pet, there are more that you can't see. A female flea can lay up to 2,000 eggs in their lifetime. Eggs drop off your pet and into bedding and carpet. Also, fleas go into cocoons before they become adults. Those cocoons protect them from insecticides.

Usually, flea shampoo is not necessary; it is typically very harsh and has no residual activity. Any warm, soapy water will kill fleas, so dish washing soap or any dog shampoo will kill the fleas on the pet. If fleas are in the area, though, they'll jump back on.

Tiny worms, called nematodes, applied as a spray kill flea larvae that might be hiding in your yard. Fleas favor dark, moist, shady areas outside. Nematodes enter fleas' bodies and release harmful germs but are safe for people, pets, and plants. Follow the instructions on the label. Water the area before and after you spray.

Ticks can't fly or jump. They are more like spiders and scorpions than insects. But they climb grasses and shrubs to get near animals or people walking by. Ticks can be hard to see until they have bitten your pet and swell with blood. Ticks often attach themselves close to an animal's head, neck, ears, and feet but can latch on anywhere.

If you see a tick, use tweezers to grasp it firmly, as close to the skin as you can get, and pull it straight out. Be firm but gentle. Don't twist or jerk the tick. If you don't have tweezers, use a tissue or a piece of cloth. Burning the tick with a match or covering it with nail polish might make it release saliva, which could be harmful. Ticks can carry Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other illnesses.

Your poor pet can't really catch a break. Ticks are usually active in the spring, summer, and fall. With some species, adult ticks also are active in the winter. If a tick can't find a person or animal to feed on by fall, most types will hide until spring.

Ticks like moist woodlands, forest trails, and grassy fields where they can easily attach to animals, birds, and lizards. But they also like campgrounds, neglected grassy yards, and areas near power line routes made through forests. If you're on a road trip with your pet, you should know that ticks can lurk in tall grass at interstate rest stops where pets walk and run.