Tick

Tick is the common name for the small arachnids in superfamily Ixodoidea that, along with other mites, constitute the Acarina. Ticks are ectoparasites (external parasites), living by hematophagy on the blood of mammals, birds, and occasionally reptiles and amphibians. Ticks are important vectors of a number of diseases, including Lyme disease and Tick-borne meningoencephalitis. According to Pliny the Elder, ticks are "the foulest and nastiest creatures that be.

Habitats and behaviors

Ticks are blood-feeding parasites that are often found in tall grass and shrubs where they will wait to attach to a passing host। Physical contact is the only method of transportation for ticks. Ticks do not jump or fly, although they may drop from their perch and fall onto a host. Some species actively stalk the host by foot.

Changes in temperature and day length are some of the factors signaling a tick to seek a host. Ticks can detect heat emitted or carbon dioxide respired from a nearby host. They will generally drop off the animal when full, but this may take several days. In some cases, ticks will live for some time on the blood of an animal. Ticks have a harpoon-like structure in their mouth area, known as a hypostome, that allows them to anchor themselves firmly in place while feeding. The hypostome has a series of barbs angled back, which is why they are so difficult to remove once they have penetrated a host. Ticks can be found in most wooded or forested areas throughout the world. They are especially common in areas where there are deer trails or horse paths.

Flea

Flea is the common name for any of the small wingless insects of the order Siphonaptera (some authorities use the name Aphaniptera because it is older, but names above family rank need not follow the ICZN rules of priority, so most taxonomists use the more familiar name). Fleas are external parasites, living by hematophagy off the blood of mammals and birds. Genetic and morphological evidence indicates that they are descendants of the Scorpionfly family Boreidae, which are also flightless; accordingly it is possible that they will eventually be reclassified as a suborder within the Mecoptera. In the past, however, it was most commonly supposed that fleas had evolved from the flies (Diptera), based on similarities of the larvae. In any case, all these groups seem to represent a clade of closely related insect lineages, for which the names Mecopteroidea and Antliophora have been proposed।

Some well known flea species include:
Cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis),
Dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis),
Human flea (Pulex irritans),
Northern rat flea (Nosopsyllus fasciatus),
Oriental rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis)।

Morphology and behavior

Fleas are small (1/16 to 1/8-inch (1.5 to 3.3 mm) long), agile, usually dark coloured (for example, the reddish-brown of the cat flea), wingless insects with tube-like mouthparts adapted to feeding on the blood of their hosts. Their bodies are laterally compressed (Human anatomical terms), permitting easy movement through the hairs or feathers on the host's body (or in the case of humans, under clothes). Their legs are long, the hind pair well adapted for jumping (vertically up to seven inches (18 cm); horizontally thirteen inches (33 cm)[1]) - around 200 times their own body length, making the flea the best jumper of all known animals (in comparison to body size)।

The flea body is hard, polished, and covered with many hairs and short spines directed backward[2], which also assists its movements on the host। Its tough body is able to withstand great pressure, likely an adaptation to survive scratching etc. Even hard squeezing between the fingers is normally insufficient to kill the flea; it may be necessary to capture them with adhesive tape, crush them between the fingernails, roll them between the fingers, or put them in a fire safe area and burn them with match or lighter. They can also be drowned।

Fleas lay tiny white oval shaped eggs. Their larvae are small and pale with bristles covering their worm-like body. They are without eyes, and have mouthparts adapted to chewing. While the adult flea's diet consists solely of blood, the larvae feed on various organic matter, including the feces of mature fleas.[3] In the pupal phase the larvae are enclosed in a silken, debris-covered cocoon.

Fertilizer

Fertilizers (also spelled fertiliser) are chemical compounds given to plants to promote growth; they are usually applied either through the soil, for uptake by plant roots, or by foliar feeding, for uptake through leaves. Fertilizers can be organic (composed of organic matter), or inorganic (made of simple, inorganic chemicals or minerals). They can be naturally occurring compounds such as peat or mineral deposits, or manufactured through natural processes (such as composting) or chemical processes (such as the Haber process)। These chemical compounds leave lawns, gardens, and soils looking beautiful as they are given different essential nutrients that encourage plant growth.

They typically provide, in varying proportions, the three major plant nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium: N-P-K), the secondary plant nutrients (calcium, sulfur, magnesium) and sometimes trace elements (or micronutrients) with a role in plant or animal nutrition: boron, chlorine, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, molybdenum and (in some countries) selenium।

Both organic and inorganic fertilizers were called "manures" derived from the French expression for manual tillage, but this term is now mostly restricted to organic manure।

Though nitrogen is plentiful in the earth's atmosphere, relatively few plants engage in nitrogen fixation (conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to a biologically useful form). Most plants thus require nitrogen compounds to be present in the soil in which they grow.

Fighting Ticks and Fleas

Ticks and fleas become more of a problem for dogs and cats once the weather is warme. If you’re a pet owner you know that warmer weather can bring more fleas and tick problems for your pets.

Fleas

Fleas are parasites that feed on warm blooded animals such as dogs and cats. Although fleas can be a problem year round in warm climates, they only surface in winter in colder areas. Because they feed on blood, your pets serve as a perfect host. Fleas are the main reason for skin disease in dogs and cats. In severe cases they can even cause death.

Detecting Fleas

Besides continual scratching, you can also detect fleas by looking for flea dirt (flea feces from digested blood) or flea eggs on your pet’s skin. Examine his (or her) rump as well as his belly.
Appearing black, flea dirt also looks reddish brown when smeared on white paper. Flea eggs resemble white sand grains and adult fleas are brown without wings (somewhat larger than the size of a pinhead.)

Ticks

Although ticks are also parasites, they aren’t insects like fleas. Instead they’re more like mites. Besides Lyme disease, ticks carry several varieties of diseases which can also invade humans.

How to Find Ticks on Your Dog

Examine your pet’s skin daily, especially during warm months for ticks. It’s even more important to check your pet for ticks after it's been on a walk or running through wooded areas and/or bushes.

Besides running your fingers through his fur, rub your hands on his body to check for any skin irregularities or small lumps. If you feel a lump, pull back his fur for further investigation. A small black or brown pimple (somewhat flat) probably is a tick. A tick has eight legs (rather than 6-legged insects) which are sometime visible.

How to protect your dog from fleas and ticks

If you have your dog house in the garden, you can protect your dog from ticks and fleas white the fertilizer. But be careful your dog must not ever eat the fertilizer. Sprinkle fertilizer around, and below dogs house. After a while the fertilizer will dissolve. Dogs will be assured from fleas and ticks!