Pests and Your Pets

Many pests will make their way into homes by any means necessary. While they are less commonly thought of as household pests, those bugs that affect our pets can become nuisances as well. Identify the common pests that can affect our pets and what can be done about them.

Ticks

While it has commonly been thought that ticks are only active during the summer months, they can also latch on during the winter. Deer ticks will be present even during the colder months so long as there is not excessive snow on the ground. Because of this, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers of these pests even during this time of year.

Ticks can carry diseases, one of the most common is Lyme disease. Not only can this influence your pets, it can cause you to become very sick as well. It is now more common than ever for ticks to transmit diseases to people.

Ticks don’t have the ability to jump or fly. They will latch on wherever they can, then try crawling up to your head. If you have a tick near your head, it is likely it has crawled up from further down. If you go anywhere into the wilderness, check yourself after for ticks. If you bring your pets, it is crucial to check them as well.

Fleas

More so than ticks, fleas will infest the home, causing more problems. Identifying a flea infestation starts by observing your pet. Some of the things to look for include:

• Watch to see if your pet is scratching more than usual.
• If your pet has fleas, their skin may begin to redden and they may lose some of their fur.
• In both cats and dogs, usually fleas will mostly target the head and neck. Inspect these areas thoroughly.

If you find that your pet is infested with fleas, you must not only get the medication necessary from your vet, but clean your home thoroughly as well. All linens and fabrics in your home should be washed. It may be necessary to contact your pest control company to completely take care of the problem.

Be familiar with the pests that are mainly thought to influence our pets. While they may come into our homes through our furry friends, their influence and lasting presence can do more damage to our families as well. Take the steps to better protect yourself against these pests.