Fleas and Ticks

During summer, fleas and ticks are abundant. These bugs are a major problem to pets and humans.

Knowing about the critters will give you a head start on prevention. If you live in a warm climate, you are probably taking precautions year round.

Fleas and ticks can cause health problems in dogs and people. They transmit diseases and if allowed to go untreated, can infest a home very easily.

Your family will suffer the bites of fleas and, with ticks, can carry Lyme Disease.

Not only do you need to have the infestation eliminated, but precautions taken so it does not return.

The following information about fleas and ticks will help you understand what is involved with these pests.

It is an expensive process to have a professional exterminator come in and get rid of the bugs.

Not only will you have to move into a motel for a few days, but possibly have to redo in a few months. Sometime it doesn't do the job first time out.

When we lived in Florida for a few years, it took a while before we were able to get this problem under control inside and out.

Your yard should be sprayed every month with a quality insecticide or natural product.

While your home is being fumigated, you will need to have your pet bathed in a preparation specifically for the flea and tick problem. Schedule an appointment with a groomer to have this done. If not, you will just have thrown money down the drain.

After you move back home, everybody squeaky clean, you will need to keep up with prevention measures by purchasing products that will keep your pet parasite free.

Many good products for fleas and ticks we've found are topically applied once a month and are waterproof.

Some also take care of more biting critters than just one or two kinds. We've had excellent results with products that also kill mosquitoes and intestinal dog worms.

Natural flea control products are available on the market as well. They are not man-made insecticides but are safe and easy to use.

Another bit of information about fleas and ticks. Fleas are known to spread tapeworms in dogs. So control of these parasites is a must.

Also, when they bite, they can cause a skin disease known as "flea bite dermatitis". Your pet chews at his itchy skin and hair falls out and large, red patches develop. These are called hot spots.

Take your dog to your vet and have an exam done. Then your vet will give you medicine to help with the skin problem. Your pet should be feeling better in a few days.

Back to ticks. These are nasty little blood suckers. As stated previously they can carry Lyme Disease and also Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Ticks are not insects, they are related to the spider family. Their bodies can grow up to 100 times their size as they feed off a host.

Wear gloves when inspecting your pet or your family. If you find a tick attached, remove it carefully.

Take tweezers and grab the head of the tick. Pull it slowly out being careful not to leave any part behind. Clean the the spot with rubbing alcohol and apply a topical antibiotic.

You can keep your pet and family safe from these little beasts by following a good preventative plan.