Tips for Keeping Fleas and Ticks Outside
Thanks to a mild winter and a blazing hot summer, pest populations are especially bold this year. If you live near areas of high grass or weeds, you may have a number of unwanted pests just waiting to hitch a ride inside. This makes it especially important to be vigilant about keeping your indoor/outdoor pets protected from fleas and ticks: Not only will pest prevention protect your pet, it will save your family from unwanted and itchy house guests.
How Fleas and Ticks Get Inside the Home
Outside, pests often shelter among tall grass and overgrown areas, waiting for possible victims to pass through. As blood-suckers, fleas and ticks are especially sensitive to warm bodies and potential hosts. It only takes a few moments for a flea to jump onto a dog or a tick to latch onto your pet’s skin, and once hidden under the fur, they can be transported inside with ease.
Once indoors, these pests can begin to multiply and spread, infesting your other household pets as well as harassing you and your family. It’s easier to prevent an infestation than to deal with one that’s already spread, so knowing how to protect your home from intruders is your best defense against them.
Tips for Protecting Your Family
If you live in an area prone to fleas and ticks, here are some important steps for protecting your home:
- Keep grasses well-trimmed and clear out weeds near the home. Short grass affords fewer hiding places for pests. Taller, overgrown plants provide more opportunities for unwanted visitors to lurk and latch on to curious pets.
- If you go out hiking with your pet, inspect him for pests prior to getting back in the car. Do a quick check over both yourself and your pet for ticks before heading home from any journey into the wild. Be especially careful about checking the legs, ears and underbelly of your dog as these are favorite spots of parasites.
- Check your dog for signs of fleas and ticks regularly. If your pet spends much time outdoors, make a habit of checking him over for pests each time he comes inside. Learn the right way to remove ticks safely from the skin if you find them. If you live in a rural area where ticks might be a consistent problem, you might want to keep some soapy water by the back door for easy tick disposal after removing them from your pet.
- Keep up to date on flea and tick treatments. Speak with your vet about the appropriate type of preventative treatment for your dog. Most preventative flea treatments involve a simple application of drops to the back of the neck, killing pests before they have a chance to breed and spread.
Being vigilant about protecting your dog from pests can help to keep your home safe as well. If you do suspect that you have a pest problem or are struggling with fleas and ticks even after following these steps, be sure to contact Burns Pest Elimination for help!
