By: Emily Daigle
It is that wonderful time of the year when the flowers begin blooming, the grass grows fuller, and the air becomes warm and wet. Springtime sure appears great for you and your pets to get outside and take advantage of the beautiful weather. However, with this lively season comes an abundance of springtime creatures.
Fleas and ticks can threaten your outdoor plans in these warmer months. The nearly microscopic pests can actually appear as quite scary to pet owners in the spring. Fleas and ticks can survive in almost any climate, there are countless numbers of treatments claiming to be the best, and the fact that they are challenging to spot can all be reasons why they are seen as such a hassle. While it is extremely important to take precautions against fleas and ticks since they can carry disease and cause infections, prevention and treatment methods can be easier than they seem.
The first factor to detect the source of these pests is to troubleshoot the outdoor space where your pets are commonly introduced (yard, dog park, barn, etc.). Fleas and ticks love a good place to hide AKA full bushes and overgrown grass. A stable tip is to ensure good landscaping is in place with shrubs trimmed and grass mowed. Any areas where your pets may be introduced to stray or wild animals should be avoided and sealed off in order to avoid that pest transfer.
Prevention treatments have grown in popularity and abundance in variety, but are trusted by many pet owners and veterinarians. After some adequate research, you should be able to find which natural chewable or topical, outdoor or indoor, and prevention or remedy treatment is best for your pet. Be sure to find one that is special to your pet’s lifestyle and tailors to the environment you are in.
Lastly, if your pet frequently goes from outside to inside your home, then keeping your house clean and dodging the pests from attacking your family is a priority. Keep your house vacuumed at least once a week as larvae commonly grows in rugs and carpet. Depending on your treatment’s instructions, apply a topical or brush your pet before entering indoors each time. If you pet has long hair for fleas and ticks to hide in, consider shaving it down for the summer.
Fleas and ticks may seem intimidating, but all (or any) of these preventative steps can help you tackle the tiny pests! The worst thing to do is to ignore the scratching all together, so keep an eye out on your beloved pets and fully enjoy this weather safely.
