With autumn in full swing, chances are you're spending more time outside, enjoying the changing colors. Hikes through the forest and walks through the park are great ways of enjoying the outdoors before the cold months of winter come. These activities are so much more enjoyable when you can take your beloved canine company with you. But when you do, you have to be wary about ticks and fleas. These parasites can spread disease at worst and make your pet very itchy at best. Keep reading to learn how to keep your pets pest free.
When you walk around outside, fleas are probably the last thing on your mind. However, these small, biting creatures are just waiting for the right animal to walk by. Your dog may be just the meal they're looking for, so it's important to take preventative measures against fleas. If you've recently got your pup, it's best to take it to the vet before going on any adventures. Even with all of its shots up to date, your dog may still be at risk for fleas, so you should also consider buying a preventative collar. Flea collars are excellent at keeping parasites at bay, reported Kansas State University. Just remember to wash off any dust left by the collar when you get home.
And your cats aren't immune to fleas, either. If you or dog bring fleas home, they can easily leap to your feline companions as well. Topical treatments are among the best ways of getting fleas off of your cat. Though you may have to subject your kitty to that most dreaded thing of all: the bath. You and your cat can avoid this stressful experience if you avoid the tall grass when you're out and about.
Blood sucking ticks are known to harbor diseases such as Lyme's, Rocky Mountain Fever and other bacterial infections, among others. Ticks are usually easier to spot than fleas, but they can still go unnoticed, even on dogs with shorter hair. And when you do spot them, they can be a pain to remove. If plucked without care, the tick's head may get stuck in the flesh, leading to further infection. Preventing tick bites before they happen is very important. As with fleas, a special collar can keep your dog from getting bitten.
The University of Wisconsin recommended examining your pet for ticks when you return home from a walk. Do this before going back inside, lest one of the pests hop off onto the carpet. If you do need to pluck a tick from your pet, be very gentle in doing so - always attempt to pinch the tick from the head before pulling - then examine it to make sure you've removed the entire parasite. If you dog receives several tick bites, it's a good idea to bring it to the vet for a checkup.
Summer is almost here and before you head out on a family trip or even if you travel for work, consider doing a little research so you become familiar with bed bugs. This will help you identify them quickly and it could keep you from bringing them home unknowingly!
For some, the garage is a primarily a storage unit. If your household is one that keeps its vehicles parked in the driveway, you may have considered clearing out the garage or at least organizing it so that you can better locate your things. Another good reason to do so it because a cluttered garage makes it easier for pests to hide. In the summer months, pests might invade the space looking for some shade. During winter, rodents may take shelter from the cold. Perhaps worst of all, a swarm of bees or wasps could decide that an open wall is the perfect spot to build a nest. For these reasons alone, you should consider cleaning out your garage and inspecting it for pest damage. Read on to learn how:
With autumn in full swing, chances are you're spending more time outside, enjoying the changing colors. Hikes through the forest and walks through the park are great ways of enjoying the outdoors before the cold months of winter come. These activities are so much more enjoyable when you can take your beloved canine company with you. But when you do, you have to be wary about ticks and fleas. These parasites can spread disease at worst and make your pet very itchy at best. Keep reading to learn how to keep your pets pest free.
Autumn is a fun season because the leaves are changing color, the big holidays are right around the corner, and there's all kinds of new treats to try. But it's also the time of year when more pests may try to invade your home. As they look to escape from the chilly nights, pests might see your home as the perfect hideaway. Be prepared for some of the season's top pests by reading the tips below:
One of the world's most abundant pests, silverfish can invade just about any home, restaurant or business. These tiny insects are adept at surviving in seemingly inhospitable environments, and as such, can easily survive in a basement or storage room. Silverfish may be gray, dark brown or even blue in color. They also have two long antennae and several appendages on the rear that look like tails. Unfortunately, these bugs can scurry across the floor so quickly you may not see them at all. Here's a little bit more about these frustrating pests:
There are many situations where you can probably take care of a pest problem on your own. However, in some cases, it's better to call a professional pest control service before the problem gets out of control. Knowing when a pest invasion is too much to handle on your own is part of being a responsible property owner. That said, it can be tempting to handle every situation by yourself. Keep reading to learn how to tell when it's time to call in the professionals:
