A dog in a shady North Texas backyard by a wood fence, with fleas in the grass and ticks in the tall shady edge

Back

Flea & Tick Control in McKinney, TX

North Texas summers are hot and humid, which is exactly what fleas and ticks like.

North Texas summers are hot and humid, which is exactly what fleas and ticks like. Pets pick them up in the yard, at the dog park or on a walk along the greenbelt, and soon fleas are in the carpet and ticks are on the kids. Treating the pet alone often isn't enough. Most of a flea population lives in the yard and the house as eggs, larvae and pupae. Around the Block is a family-owned, Christian-owned company that has helped Collin County families get rid of fleas and ticks since 2012.

Get a free estimate → or call (469) 340-0200.

Signs of fleas and ticks

  • Your pet scratching, biting or licking more than usual

  • Small, itchy bites around ankles and lower legs

  • Tiny dark specks ("flea dirt") in pet bedding or on your pet's coat

  • Fleas jumping on carpet, rugs or furniture, especially white socks

  • Ticks on pets or people after time in tall grass, woods or creek areas

Where fleas and ticks live in your yard

Top-down yard map showing where fleas and ticks live: under the deck, under trees and shrubs, in the dog run and along fence lines, not in sunny lawn

Fleas and ticks avoid hot, open sun. They wait in shady, moist, protected spots: under decks and porches, along fence lines, in leaf litter and tall grass, in dog runs and in the cool soil under shrubs. Homes that back up to greenbelts and creeks, or acreage with horses and livestock, see the most pressure. We hear from many families in Aubrey, Lucas, Fairview and Melissa, and along the greenbelts in Allen and McKinney.

How we treat fleas and ticks

  1. Inspect. We find where pets rest and where fleas and ticks are concentrated, inside and out.

  2. Yard treatment, included in the quarterly plan. Outside flea and tick treatment is part of our quarterly plan. We treat the shady, protected areas where fleas and ticks live, not just the open lawn.

  3. Indoor treatment, available as an extra service. For fleas inside, we treat carpets, rugs, pet resting areas and furniture edges with products that include a growth regulator to stop eggs and larvae from developing.

  4. 30-day follow-up. Flea pupae can survive the first treatment and hatch later. The follow-up visit catches that next wave.

  5. Work with your vet. Treating your pets with a vet-recommended product at the same time is what breaks the cycle for good.

Before and after your treatment

Vacuum and pet bed with fleas next to a five-step flea treatment prep and aftercare checklist
  • Vacuum all floors, rugs and furniture before we arrive, then keep vacuuming every day for two weeks. Vibration helps flea pupae hatch so the treatment can reach them.

  • Wash pet bedding in hot water.

  • Mow the lawn and trim tall grass along fences.

  • Keep pets and kids off treated areas until they're dry. We'll tell you how long.

  • Don't panic if you see a few fleas for a week or two. That's the last hatch coming out.

Flea and tick control FAQ

My dog is on flea prevention. Why do we still have fleas?

Because flea eggs and larvae are living in the yard and carpet. Your pet keeps getting re-exposed until those areas are treated too.

Are your treatments safe for pets?

We'll explain what we use and where, and how long to keep pets off treated areas. Ask about our organic program if you'd prefer it.

Is flea and tick control part of the quarterly plan?

The outside (yard) treatment is included in our quarterly plan. Inside flea treatment is available as an extra service. Ask about it when you request your estimate.

Can you treat acreage and horse properties?

Yes. Tell us the property size and what animals you have when you request an estimate.

When is flea and tick season in North Texas?

Ticks are active from spring into fall, and fleas peak in the warm, humid months. Mild winters mean they can stay active almost all year.

Do I need to be home for the yard treatment?

Usually not, as long as we can get into the yard and pets are inside. Indoor flea treatment needs someone home to let us in.

How long should pets stay off treated areas?

Until the treatment is dry. We'll tell you how long for the products we use at your home.

Related pages

Get your free estimate

Request a free estimate, or call (469) 340-0200 (office: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm).

Around the Block Pest Control: family-owned and Christian-owned · 8720 Silverado Trail, STE 3B, McKinney, TX 75070 · TX license #0782331 · Serving McKinney, Allen, Plano, Frisco, Prosper and Collin County since 2012