Get matched with top pest control specialists in Jamesville, NY

You can easily find sprays that claim they are safe for pets and kids. However, we’d rather not use them in our own homes if we’re worried about pet safety: They still include pesticides and other chemicals, and are best avoided in any food prep areas like the kitchen, or any spots where children and pets may place. That’s why sprays didn’t end up in our suggestions for the safest options.

Several skin conditions and insect bites can be mistaken for a tick bite, including mosquito bites, spider bites, chigger bites, and even allergic reactions. Tick bites often start as small red bumps, which may develop into a bullseye-shaped rash if Lyme disease is transmitted. However, similar-looking rashes can result from conditions like eczema, ringworm, or hives. Without a visible tick, it can be hard to confirm the source, so it’s best to monitor the area for changes and consult a doctor if symptoms like fever, fatigue, or worsening redness occur.

Since fleas are so tiny, the best way to find them is with a very thorough search. Focus on two specific areas. First, look where your pets spend lots of time sleeping or playing, which is where fleas are likely to linger. Second, look at ground-level fabrics like carpet, furniture upholstery and similar spots where it’s easy for fleas to hide. While you’re probably worried about fleas inside your home, it’s a good idea to check outdoors around patios or outdoor chairs to see if fleas are congregating in specific spots. 

While possums don’t typically carry rabies, they can have lice, fleas, ticks, and mites. According to the University of California’s Pest Management Program, possums can also carry diseases like leptospirosis, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, and fevers. Possums are also the carriers of a parasite that can pass to horses and cats called Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM).