Fleas and Ticks on Pets and in Homes in Lima: Complete and Definitive Treatment

A more common problem than you think in Lima

If you have pets in Lima, the chances of having a flea or tick problem are very high. Lima's mild climate — without extreme winters to kill off parasites — creates ideal conditions for them to reproduce year-round.

What many owners don't know is that fleas spend 95% of their life off the animal. When your cat or dog "has fleas," the bulk of the infestation (eggs, larvae and pupae) is in the carpet, gaps in the parquet floor, sofa cushions and beds. That's why treating only the animal doesn't solve the problem.

Differences between fleas and ticks

Fleas

Insects 1-3 mm long, dark brown, wingless but with strong hind legs for jumping. A single female can lay 50 eggs per day. Their bites cause intense itching and can transmit tapeworm. In pets, a severe infestation can cause anemia in small animals.

Ticks

Arachnids visible to the naked eye, especially when engorged with blood. In Lima, the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) is the most common. They can transmit serious diseases such as ehrlichiosis and babesiosis, some of which are fatal to dogs.

Signs of an infestation in your home

• Bites on your ankles: Fleas jump from the ground, so they tend to bite feet and ankles first.
• Tiny black specks on pet beds: Flea droppings. If you wet them, they dissolve into a reddish-brown color.
• White sock test: Walk slowly while wearing white socks. If black or brown specks appear, fleas are active.
• Ticks on carpets or walls: They can survive for months without feeding, hidden in cracks while waiting for a host.

Why home treatments usually fail

Shampoos, collars, spot-on treatments and household sprays only target adult insects. They don't eliminate eggs and pupae, which are resistant to most household insecticides and hatch weeks later, restarting the cycle.

How professional treatment works

1. Home preparation: Thorough vacuuming, washing bedding at 60°C, removing pets and people during treatment.
2. Residual insecticide: Applied to floors, carpets, baseboards and under furniture. The product acts on adults and larvae and inhibits egg development (IGR — insect growth regulator).
3. Special tick treatment: In wall cracks, door frames and around the perimeter of the property.
4. Post-treatment recommendations: A report with preventive measures and coordination with your veterinarian for antiparasitic treatment of pets.

How often does the treatment need to be repeated?

In homes with an active infestation, we recommend a second treatment 21-30 days after the first to eliminate generations that hatch later. After that, a biannual preventive fumigation keeps your home parasite-free.

Call us at 792-2845, 792-1182 or contact us via WhatsApp at 988 552 106. We offer free inspections throughout Metropolitan Lima.