Flea and Tick Treatment

Flea and Tick Control in the Rio Grande Valley

If you have pests or spend any time outdoors, fleas and ticks are a real concern here in South Texas. Our warm climate means that these parts stay active longer than in most other parts of the country, and an infestation can grow fast if it’s not treated the right way.

At Del Valle Pest Control, we deal with flea and tick problems every day. Our technicians are licensed, insured, and trained to treat infestations in homes, yards, and commercial properties throughout the Rio Grande Valley and across Texas.

Why Fleas and Ticks Are A Problem Worth Taking Seriously

Fleas and ticks are not just a nuisance. They carry diseases that can affect your family and your pets.
Ticks are known to transmit:

Lyme disease
Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Tick paralysis
Ehrlichiosis

Fleas can cause:

Flea allergy dermatitis (a common skin reaction in dogs and cats)
Tapeworm transmission in pets
Murine typhus, which has been documented in Texas and spreads to humans through infected fleas

In the RGV, the heat and humidity create conditions where these pests can survive and reproduce year-round. That’s why waiting until you notice a problem can mean dealing with a much larger infestation than you expected.

How We Treat Flea and Tick Infestations

Every situation is different, so we start with an inspection before we do anything else.

Step 1 – Inspection
Our technician will look at the areas where fleas and ticks are most likely to hide and breed. This includes:

Carpets and rugs
Pet bedding and resting areas
Baseboards and floor cracks
Yard areas where pets spend time, especially shaded spots with leaf litter or tall grass

We also ask you a few questions – how long you’ve noticed the problem, whether you have pets, and whether any treatments have already been tried. That helps us understand what we’re dealing with before we start.

Step 2 – Inspection
We use professional-grade products that are registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Everything we apply is safe for your family and pets when used as directed, and our technicians are trained on proper application methods.

Interior treatment focuses on:

Carpets and rugs (where flea eggs and larvae concentrate)
Baseboards and floor joints
Pet sleeping areas
Furniture where pets rest

Exterior treatment focuses on:

The yard perimeter and shaded areas
Under decks, patios, and porches
Around kennels or pet runs
Fence lines and landscaping

We use a combination of residual insecticides and insect growth regulators (IGRs). The IGR part is important — it stops flea eggs and larvae from developing into adults, which breaks the reproductive cycle instead of just killing what’s visible.

Step 3 — Follow-Up
Flea and tick treatments almost always require more than one visit. Flea eggs are resistant to most insecticides, and they can hatch days or weeks after the initial treatment. We’ll let you know what to expect and schedule a follow-up if needed based on the severity of the infestation.

What You Can Do Before and After Treatment

We’ll give you specific instructions before your appointment, but here are the general guidelines:

Before treatment:

Vacuum all carpets, rugs, and furniture thoroughly and dispose of the vacuum bag or empty the canister outside
Wash pet bedding in hot water
Clear clutter from floors so we can access baseboards and corners
Have pets treated by your veterinarian for fleas at the same time — treating you home without treating your pet means the infestation will come back

After treatment:

Stay off treated surfaces until they are dry (usually 1-2 hours)
Continue vacuuming regularly — this actually helps stimulate hatching and exposes remaining pests to the residual product
Keep pets on a veterinarian-recommended flea prevention product year-round

We Also Handle Yard Flea and Tick Control

If your yard is where the problem is coming from, treating inside alone won’t solve it. We offer exterior yard treatments specifically for targeting flea and tick harborage areas. Shaded spots with grass, leaf buildup, or sandy soil are especially common breeding areas in South Texas.

Yard treatments can also be part of a recurring service plan to keep your property protected throughout the year.

Serving the Rio Grande Valley and All of Texas

We provide flea and tick control services across the Rio Grande Valley including McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, Pharr, Harlingen, Brownsville, and the surrounding communities. We also serve customers across Texas including Laredo, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Dallas.

Our technicians are licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture, and we carry general liability insurance and worker’s compensation coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long does flea treatment take to work?

You may still see fleas for up to two weeks after treatment. This is normal. Eggs that were already present before treatment will continue to hatch, but the residual product and IGR work to kill them as they emerge. Activity should decrease steadily. If it hasn’t improved after two to three weeks, contact us.

Do I need to leave my home during treatment?

We ask that people and pets stay out of treated areas until the product has dried, which typically takes about an hour or two. We’ll give you specific instructions when we schedule your appointment.

Can I treat fleas myself with store-bought products?

Over-the-counter foggers and sprays can reduce visible adult fleas, but they usually don’t contain IGRs and won’t reach the deeper harborage areas where larvae and eggs are concentrated. In most infestations, this leads to a temporary improvement followed by a resurgence. Professional treatment targets the full life cycle.

Do I have to treat my pet too?

Yes. If your pet has fleas, treating the home without treating the pet is like fixing one hole in a leaky bucket. Your veterinarian can recommend the right flea prevention product for your pet. We handle the environment; your vet handles the animal.

How often should I have my yard treated for ticks?

In South Texas, because ticks are active year-round, a recurring service plan (monthly or bi-monthly) is the most effective approach for yards with ongoing exposure, especially if you have dogs that spend time outside.

Schedule a Free Inspection

If you’re dealing with fleas, ticks, or you’re not sure what’s biting you, give us a call. We offer free inspections so we can assess the situation and give you an honest recommendation before any work begins.

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Our highly trained pest control professionals have a consistent, proven approach to addressing your unique pest problems. Request a free quote right row.