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Flea and Tick 101: Where To Look To Get Rid Of These Pests
You looked forward to a relaxing evening. After all you have given your dog the recommended tick and flea preventive earlier. And effect can be expected within the day.
As you open your door, your dog happily approached with tail wagging and face obviously excited you are home.
As a pet loving person you are, you gave him a hug and you carefully checked the spots where ticks and fleas can be usually found.
Yes, they are all gone! Finally, you can get a good night sleep!
Later as you were getting ready to call it a night, you were sitting in bed reading a few pages of a new book.
Out of the corner of your eye, there’s a blurry speck moving nearby.
You checked it out thinking it was an ant.
Ugh. A tick. Just when you thought you can dream your night away.
Pet owners. Is this a familiar scene?
Just when you thought you got rid of all the ticks and fleas, one crawls on your bed, wall, curtains or floor?
Remember ticks and fleas do not only live in your pet, they can also live in your house and surroundings.
Here are the must dos in tick and flea treatment in your pet, home and surroundings.
Flea and Tick 101: Use a Tick and Flea Preventive For Your Dog
To address the presence of ticks and fleas, one of the recommendations of veterinarians is to give your dog a tick and flea preventive. The effect is fast and your dog can be protected for these parasites for as long as 8 months.
Not sure what tick and flea preventives for you, go here to learn the types.
If you do have some knowledge of anti-flea and tick products but not sure about them, you can read more here before buying.
Flea and Tick 101: Clean Up Your Home From These Pests
Ticks and fleas do not only live in your pet but in your home without you knowing it. Research shows that only 5% of these adult fleas are on your pet and the rest in your house or yard. They can be in various stages of the flea cycle.
Do not just rely on the tick and flea preventive, do a thorough cleaning of your surroundings especially on warm spots.
Vacuum your carpet, beddings and couch where your dog can easily access. Remember to remove the bag after cleaning. Check the walls and crevices in your door jambs. Ticks like to hide in dark places so be as thorough as you can. There are kitchen ingredients that can help.
You can also ask your vet the best way to clean your home from these pests.
Flea and Tick 101: Clear Your Yard From Ticks And Fleas
As if you do not have enough to do cleaning your home, you also need to clean up your yard from ticks and fleas. Fleas can live for as long as 100 days without blood meals from their hosts.
You might think it’s fine as long as these parasites are outside. But the fleas from your backyard may jump into your pet and your pet will bring them in inside your house. So keep your yard clean by trimming grasses. Grow plants that can repel these pests. Plants like rosemary, lemongrass, sage and citronella grass among others.
When you want to get rid of ticks and fleas, it is not just the ones found on your pet that you should address. Always include your home and your surroundings. This way, you are sure that you have removed these pests from your life for as long as you live.
If you need further help on getting rid of ticks and fleas, do not hesitate to go the nearest vet clinic in your area.
Enjoy peace of mind,
Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC
“The St. Luke’s of Pet Hospitals” – from a Happy Client