That wax is the
clearest sign of infestation, and is most visible from January to June, said Kristina Ferrare, a forestry educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County.
Keep an eye out
for signs of infestation, which may include scratching and crusty patches on the skin or ears in the case of fleas or ear mites, and weight loss, diarrhea, and bloated belly in the case of worms.
Signs of Infestation Even if a pet owner has never physically seen a flea or tick on their pet, it doesn't mean they aren't there.
Stripping the bark of a tree with a hatchet, Diana L. Six, a University of Montana insect scientist, pointed out the
telltale signs of infestation by pine beetles: channels drilled by the creatures as they chewed their way through the juicy part of the tree.
Some types of worms will not show
any signs of infestation until in the later stages, such as in a pregnant female dog or times of environmental stress where roundworms activate multiply.
Fleas are most certainly annoying, but
signs of their infestation are not always so obvious, especially if you are dealing with the problem for the first time.
Cats who spend a lot of time outdoors are more prone to contracting worms, but many cats, indoors or outdoors, may be infected with worms and show
no sign of an infestation.
Newly infected dogs show no outward
signs of infestation, while dogs with heavy infestations present with coughing, fatigue, inappetence, weight loss, anemia, fainting and heart failure.
Watch for Pests Pests can cause serious damage to a home, which is why it's important to know
the signs of an infestation before it becomes an expensive problem.