Maintenance Tips For Flea And Tick Season

Spring is here, Summer is knocking on our door

Spring is a hopeful time for many people; it signifies new beginnings as the warmer weather helps nature flourish. However, to veterinarians, spring is better known as flea and tick season. As your pets excitedly explore the warmer outdoors, they will be greeted by all the creeping, crawling, and flying creatures that come out during this time.
Taking preventative measures is important, particularly ensuring that your pets are up to date with any treatments and medications. However, there are also steps you can take at home to prevent bringing fleas and ticks into your home. Prepare your pets for the season by following these spring maintenance tips.

Perform Regular Yard Maintenance

To help deter fleas and ticks from your garden, you should make sure you regularly clean and maintain them. You can commonly find nests in compost piles, old tree trunks, and piles of wet leaves, so be sure to keep your yard clean as best you can. Keep your lawn, bushes, and trees well-trimmed and avoid leaving trash out in the open.
Garbage and refuse areas must always be sealed and tightly shut, as leaving anything exposed may attract wild animals who can bring in ticks and fleas. Birds can also bring these pests into your yard, so it may be best to limit these visitors and not put out feeders or birdbaths. They may still be attracted to your pet’s food or water bowls if these are left outdoors, so it’s best to keep this inside.

Follow Proper Grooming Procedures

Practicing regular grooming is important, particularly during the warmer seasons. Cats and dogs should be brushed at least once a week, but if your pet’s coat is prone to tangling, then it’s best to do so daily.
Take this opportunity to check your pet for any indication of flea bites. These tend to itch, so you may notice your dog or cat excessively scratching, licking, orbiting at their skin. If you see any red, itchy spots on the skin that appear to be oozing or moist, this could indicate a particularly severe reaction. It may be best to consult your vet in this case.
Regular bathing, grooming, and combing will help to prevent flea infestations, particularly when using repellents and a flea comb. You should always follow your vet’s advice when using flea or tick shampoo, pills, powders, or drops.

Clean Your Home

As well as keeping your yard and pet clean, you should also keep your home clean. Be sure to wash your pet’s bedding regularly, and if you spot any ticks or fleas, it may be best to replace these altogether until you know your home is free of these pests.
Vacuuming is crucial, but if you suspect a flea infestation, then it is important that you remove the cleaner bag in your vacuum and place this outdoors after use. In this case, you should also wash all bedding and curtains in your home and treat your carpeting with flea powder. It may be best to consult a pest control expert to ensure you properly eradicate these pests from your property.
Call Jenkins Pest and Lawn for any questions, today!