Chiggers, Fleas & Ticks: What Oklahoma Homeowners Need To Know

Chiggers are microscopically small red bugs found in lawns throughout Oklahoma. Although you probably won't be able to spot them without a magnifying glass, you can definitely spot their impact. Chiggers feed on skin cells and leave itchy bites on those who come in contact with them. Chigger bites create red welts on your skin that can cause persistent itching for one to two weeks, depending on the individual. These tiny insects spend the winter months buried in your lawn's soil and then lay eggs at the start of spring. They hide in your grass when the weather is warmer and will stick around unless an effective insecticide treatment is applied. By applying a powerful insecticide on your property every 4–6 weeks throughout chigger season, you can help keep your property chigger-free. To ensure chiggers don't cause problems on your property, annual treatments should begin in the late winter before conditions are conducive to their development.

Fleas are another common pest that likes to take up residence in the lawns of Oklahomans. These tiny insects are somewhere between reddish-brown to black in color and are classified as an ectoparasite, meaning they can live on the outside of their host. Household pets like cats and dogs are the hosts most often victimized by fleas, which feed on their blood. Pets typically pick up fleas while in the yard during the spring or summer and then unknowingly bring them indoors — then they can spread inside your home. While fleas primarily latch onto pets, they can also bite humans. This is dangerous because fleas carry and transmit diseases. The best way to protect your family and pets from fleas is by treating your lawn regularly throughout the year with an insecticide. Applying this type of treatment will keep fleas off your property before they ever become a problem.

Ticks are similar to fleas but can be even more dangerous. These small, ovular parasites make their home in your lawn and then lay in wait until they locate an animal or human host. They are most prevalent in the warm-weather months and come in a variety of species, including the lone star tick, brown dog tick, and deer tick. Ticks latch onto a host and feed on their blood. In the process, they can transmit numerous diseases. The prescription for preventing ticks from impacting your family and pets is to treat your lawn with an insecticide throughout the year. Bifenthrin is a highly effective insecticide used to keep ticks away from your property. Performing regular applications of this product creates a protective barrier against these pests.