Fleas and ticks are external parasites that often attach to your dog’s fur and skin to feed. A dog that spends time outdoors, especially in grassy or wooded areas, is more at risk of infection. However, you can also find fleas and ticks around your house in short grass and shrubs.
In addition to being annoying to your dog, ticks and fleas can also transmit diseases that can be fatal. The good news is you can take measures to protect your pet from ticks and fleas. Prevention is better than treatment when it comes to fleas and tickets. Several different methods are available. Below are some measures you can take to help protect your pet from fleas and ticks.
Use a Flea and Tick Control Product
The best prevention strategy is to use a product year-round. Preventative products are available in several forms today. Among the options available are chewable medications, liquid medications for application on the neck, and tick and flea collars. All options are acceptable, but you should discuss them with your veterinarian.
Also, if you have more than one dog, remember to treat them all simultaneously. Leaving one dog untreated in your home can result in an infestation that can take months to resolve.
Clean Your Pet’s Environment
You should regularly clean and vacuum your home and wipe down surfaces your pet rubs against — areas such as between couch cushions and behind and under furniture. Ensure that you dispose of vacuum bags properly after vacuuming. Maintaining a clean home can help eliminate flea eggs before they hatch and cause a significant problem.
Additionally, fleas prefer warm, moist, shady places, whereas ticks prefer tall grass. Therefore, ensure you mow your lawn regularly and trim bushes and shrubs around your home. You should also rake leaves, brush, and clippings from your yard to limit the number of hiding places for pests. Keep your lawn mowed, trim all shrubbery, and remove debris and trash in the yard.
Schedule a clean-up from a professional pest control company for the best results.
Bathe Your Dog Regularly
Bathing your pet may not be your pet’s favorite thing, but you should consider grooming necessary. Grooming may be one of the best ways to identify fleas. When you groom your pet’s coat, you can spot fleas and ticks easily since they are external parasites. However, an unkempt coat on your dog can make detecting pests more difficult if they attach to your pet.
Check Regularly for Ticks
Regularly check your dog for ticks, especially if you have been walking where ticks may be present. Ensure you check all the skin on your pet’s body, including in their ears, on their neck and head, and under their armpits. If you find any ticks on your dog, remove them immediately and inform your veterinarian.
Schedule a Professional Pest Inspection
No matter how often you clean your furry friends, they are bound to pick up unwanted pests from the environment or neighboring pets. You may not see any pests, but you may notice behavior changes in your pet, such as a lack of energy or low appetite. Such animal behavior may point to Lyme disease or other health issues caused by pests.
Schedule regular inspections with a professional pest control company. An inspector will check your home’s interior and exterior for pest infestation, which allows them to protect your pets from severe pest disease. Compared to ineffective DIY methods, pest control technicians locate the source of the problem and apply targeted treatments.
We often invite fleas and ticks into our homes and families when we welcome our pets. The tiny pests prefer to feed on our furry friends, but they can pose significant health risks to everyone. Therefore, if you suspect a flea or tick problem, call a professional pest control company that can equip you with a treatment and prevention plan.
Call us today at Quality Pest Control to start working on a pest control treatment plan that’s right for you.