Whether you are a crazy cat lady, devoted dog dad or your animal is slightly more exotic; you would do nearly anything to keep your pet happy and healthy. One of the most important steps you can take is to keep pests off your pets. Even if you have an indoor animal, fleas, ticks, mites and other insects can creep in without notice and cause your pet discomfort. Getting rid of these vermin can be a challenge even for experienced pest services professionals, but we’ve put together a few ideas to help.
- Check Pets Carefully After Outdoor Visits – Even if you only let your cat out to use the restroom or you just take your pup on a walk, fleas and ticks could hitch a ride back in your house. Take a moment to look over your pet and make sure there are no pests present–and immediately destroy any you may find.
- Remain Proactive – It can be easy to ignore the occasional itchiness or flea you spot on your dog or cat. However, just a single flea can quickly turn into an infestation. If you even suspect there are fleas, ticks or other pests bothering your pet NOW is the time to take action. In addition, when you schedule a vet appointment, consider having your pet tested for heartworms–as this is one pest that can have devastating effects on a beloved animal.
- Work with Your Vet – Your pet’s vet can be a great resource when it comes to pest control. There are many high-quality medications and treatments that are taken internally or used on your pet’s skin. Since they are purchased from your vet and under his or her supervision, you can feel confident that they are safe for your beloved animal to use.
- Treat the Environment AND the Pet – No matter what treatment you decide to use for your pet, make sure you treat your home (including carpeting, bedding and pet areas) too. After all, the life-cycle of a flea is several months, so even if you kill all the living fleas on your buddy, you still have eggs and larvae to exterminate. Putting an excellent environmental control system can make the difference.
- Control Rodents – Outdoor rodents, such as rats, mice and squirrels can give fleas a place to call home while they wait to infest your pet. If you find re-infestation to be a significant issue, a rodent problem could be the source. Controlling THESE pests may help you avoid future re-infestation once you have your home and pet free of fleas and ticks.
While controlling fleas, ticks and other pests is a challenging job; it is much easier to maintain than to start from square one. With a little extra work every month, you can keep your home and pets free of pests. If you would like more information about pest control services in California, contact us at American Rat Control today.
