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While most pet owners are diligent about flea and tick control on their pets, many overlook the importance of environmental pest control. An effective pest control program |
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should always include environmental treatment in addition to treating your pet. Learn what you can do to minimize the exposure and spread of common outdoor pests.
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Inspect your pet before coming inside. Designate a flea and tick inspection area. A brightly lit mudroom or garage, preferably an area removed from the main entrance or living area, is a great place to inspect your pet after spending time outdoors. A little extra time checking for fleas and ticks can be the difference between a comfortable home and a miserable flea infestation. |
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Know your risks
The three most common pet pests are fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. While there are more types of pet pests, these three are notable because they can also transmit diseases to humans. Fleas are well-known vectors for a variety of diseases. However, in recent years, diseases transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes have received more attention. Once regional concerns, occurrences of mosquito-transmitted West Nile Virus and heartworm disease, as well as tick-transmitted Lyme Disease are being reported across the nation.
Reduce areas that harbor pet pests
The good news is there are lots of fast and easy ways to protect you and your pet. Environmental conditions favorable for fleas are moisture, warmth, shade, and ample organic debris. In other words,
doghouses and other areas where pets spend most of their time outdoors. Ticks can be found waiting for their next host in leaf litter, brush, and tall grass. Mosquitoes are found in greatest concentrations near their breeding grounds (pools of stagnant water and essentially any body of standing water). The first step to environmental pest control is to reduce these conditions.
Rake away organic debris such as loose pet hair, leaves, straw, and grass clippings to disrupt flea habitat. Keep areas around
doghouses and
kennels tidy and free of tall grass and brush. Doing so creates a buffer zone that makes it more difficult for ticks to come in contact with your dog. Inspect your property for discarded, watertight containers such as bottles, cans, or garbage bins where mosquitoes may breed in standing water.
Prevention
If you haven't done so already, use appropriate preventives to protect your pet.
Bio Spot® Defense Spot On® is an easy-to-apply topical that controls adult and juvenile forms of fleas, as well as ticks and mosquitoes. Once your dog is protected, you can increase the level of protection by treating your yard where infested animals may travel and expose your pet to fleas and ticks.
For an existing inside infestation check out the
Bio Spot® Home Protection.
Combine pet protection with environmental treatment to help ensure an effective pest control program that offers peace of mind throughout the summer. |
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PRODUCTS RELATED TO:
Flea & Tick Control
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