Table of Contents
What are fleas and ticks?
How are fleas and ticks different?
How to treat fleas
How to treat ticks
How to prevent fleas and ticks
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Are fleas and ticks the same thing?
- By Katie
-
- March 14, 2025
- 3 MIN READ
If you've ever found yourself wondering whether fleas and ticks are the same thing, you're not alone. These tiny creatures often cause confusion due to their similar size and the discomfort they bring to our furry friends. Scroll to find out the difference between fleas and ticks!
What are fleas and ticks?
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What are fleas?
Fleas are tiny, wingless insects that belong to the order Siphonaptera. Despite their inability to fly, these nimble jumpers can cover impressive distances by leaping from host to host. Their preferred hosts include mammals, with dogs and cats being prime targets. Fleas feed on the blood of their hosts, causing irritation and discomfort.
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What are ticks?
Ticks, on the other hand, belong to the arachnid family and are more closely related to spiders than insects. These patient parasites patiently wait in grassy areas or on vegetation for a suitable host to pass by. Once a host is detected, ticks latch on, feeding on blood and potentially transmitting diseases in the process.
How are fleas and ticks different?
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Physical Appearance
- Fleas are small, wingless insects measuring about 1-3 mm in length. They have a flat body, allowing them to move swiftly through fur. Take a look here!
- Ticks are arachnids and have a broader size range, with some species growing up to several centimetres. They have a distinctive oval or teardrop-shaped body.
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Jumping vs. crawling
- Fleas are renowned for their exceptional jumping abilities. They can jump up to 350 times their body length, allowing them to move effortlessly between hosts.
- Ticks do not possess the jumping prowess of fleas. Instead, they crawl to find a suitable feeding site on their host.
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Feeding behaviour
- Fleas are voracious blood feeders and can consume up to 15 times their body weight in blood daily. Their bites often result in itchy, red, and raised welts.
- Ticks feed more slowly, often taking several days to complete a blood meal. Their bites can cause local irritation and, in some cases, transmit diseases such as Lyme disease.
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Lifecycle
- Fleas undergo a complete metamorphosis, progressing through egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. The larval and pupal stages occur in the environment, such as carpets and bedding. Here’s a more in depth look at the flea life cycle.
- Ticks have a simpler life cycle, with egg, larva, nymph, and adult stages. Ticks require a blood meal at each stage to progress to the next.
How to treat fleas
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Spot-on treatments: In the form of spot-on applications, these treatments are applied directly to your pet's skin. Itch Flea Treatment for dogs and Itch Flea Treatment for cats are spot-on preventative treatments which kill adult fleas within 24 hours and halt fleas at all other life stages!
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Oral medications: Oral flea medications are available. These medications work systemically, meaning they circulate in your pet's bloodstream, killing fleas when they bite. However, we all know how tricky it can be to get a pet to take a pill!
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Flea collars: Flea collars release insecticides that repel and kill fleas. Make sure the collar fits your pet comfortably and doesn’t inhibit their daily movements.
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Household sprays: 95% of fleas live in the environment and not on your pet, so treating you home is also vital. Itch Flea Home Spray kills fleas and biting lice as well as halting the development of flea eggs and larvae for up to 12 months - win win!
How to treat ticks
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Tick removal
The primary method for treating ticks is manual removal. There is definitely a correct and safe way to remove a tick - so make sure you read our step by step guide on how to safely remove a tick.
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Spot-on treatments
Similar to flea treatments, topical applications for ticks are available. These spot-on treatments contain ingredients that kill ticks on contact. Itch Flea Treatment for dogs and Itch Flea Treatment for cats also kill ticks and lice!
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Tick collars
Tick collars release chemicals that repel and kill ticks. They offer continuous protection and are particularly useful in areas with high tick prevalence.
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Tick sprays
Using repellent sprays that kill ticks will prevent any ticks from latching onto your pet or you in the first place.
How to prevent fleas and ticks
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Regular Treatments: Implement a consistent flea and tick treatment schedule based on your pet's specific needs. Monthly treatments are the most common and recommended but may vary depending on your location and pet's lifestyle. Get your Itch Flea Treatment for dogs and Itch Flea Treatment for cats delivered right to your door each month to keep your pets protected from both fleas and ticks.
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Year-round vigilance: Fleas and ticks can be active year-round, so maintaining vigilance throughout all seasons is crucial. Don't let your guard down, even in colder months…
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Environmental control: Keep your home environment clean by regularly washing bedding (60°C or more!), hoovering carpets, and treating areas where fleas may reside with Itch Flea Home Spray.
So fleas and ticks are different, they might both cause itching but they don't look the same and need different treatment to get rid of them. For more information on these pesky pests, see our blog!
Get rid of fleas and ticks!
Pest infestations can be a nightmare, but with the right approach, you can take control and rid your pets and home of fleas and ticks. Remember that pests can be persistent, so patience and regular treatment will be your best friends! By addressing both your pet and their environment, you can ensure a flea and tick free living space for both your furball and your family.
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Flea
Identification
What do fleas look like?
Fleas, those pesky little creatures that can cause so much trouble for our beloved pets, are often hard to spot with the naked eye due to their tiny size. However, understanding what fleas look like is essential for effective prevention and treatment. Here, we explore the appearance of fleas, including pictures of fleas, their size, and the distinct features that differentiate dog fleas from cat fleas. We will also take a closer look at flea eggs and highlight other bugs that may resemble fleas, helping you to identify and deal with these nuisances.
Ticks
Identification
What do ticks look like on pets?
The closest thing you’ll find to a real life vampire are ticks, those pesky parasites that can attach themselves to your beloved pets and cause a host of health issues. These blood-sucking arachnids are not only uncomfortable for your furry friends but can also transmit diseases. Recognising the appearance of ticks on your pets is essential for their well-being. Here we look into what ticks are, how to spot them on your dogs and cats, share pictures so you can easily identify them, discuss effective tick treatment options, and explore preventive measures. Let's uncover the secrets of identifying ticks and keeping your pets tick-free.
Ticks
General
Difference between fleas and ticks
Fleas and ticks, they are both equally nasty and unwanted, but what's the difference? Keep reading to find out how to spot ticks and fleas, and more importantly how to protect your pet against them.