As pet owners, one of our top priorities is ensuring the health and well-being of our furry companions. Unfortunately, pests such as fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes can not only be a nuisance but can also pose serious health risks to our pets.
In this blog post, we will go over some action steps you can take to keep pests away from your pets and keep them safe and healthy.
Action steps you can take to keep pests away from your pet
1. Keep your yard clean and tidy:
As pet owners, the importance of keeping your yards and general environment clean can not be overemphasized. It is important to always mow your backyard, get rid of unneeded cans, and clear every stagnant water.
Stagnant water, overgrown lawns, and empty food or drink containers are mostly the abode of many pests such as fleas and mosquitoes.
Action steps:
- Regularly mow your lawn and trim any overgrown foliage.
- Remove any standing water, as pests such as mosquitoes breed in stagnant water.
- Keep trash cans sealed and dispose of garbage frequently.
2. Use pet-safe pest control products:
Another way to keep pests away from your pets is by the use of pest control products. These might either be sprays, or pet-repellant oils. Not, however, that some of these products may not be safe for the health of your pet, depending on what kind of animal friend you’ve got. Work with recommendations from your vet doctor.
Action steps:
- Look for products that contain natural ingredients such as citronella, eucalyptus, or cedar oil.
- Use flea and tick collars or sprays that are specifically designed for pets.
- Consult with your veterinarian before using any pest control products on your pets, to ensure that the product is safe for your pet.
3. Protect your pet when outside:
You also need to protect your pet when they step outdoors, especially after mingling with other pets. You could also use ticks and other anti-flea pet products to keep pests away.
It is also recommended that you subject your pet to a special body examination after going through grassy or wooded areas. This will help prevent bringing back ticks to the living home.
Action steps:
- Use a tick and flea preventative.
- Keep your pet on a leash or in a fenced-in area when outside.
- Check your pet for ticks after spending time outside, especially in wooded areas.
4. Keep your pet’s living area clean:
This is as important as every other point on the list. Keeping your pet’s living area clean will help keep pests away. You can use vacuums to clean shaggy rugs and wash your pet’s bedding as often as possible. Combing the coat of your hairy friends like dogs, cats, birds, etc., will also help to get rid of fleas and ticks.
Action steps:
- Vacuum and clean your pet’s living area regularly.
- Wash your pet’s bedding frequently.
- Use a flea comb to remove fleas and ticks from your pet’s coat.
5. Keep your pet healthy:
Have you ever noticed an ear tip injury in dogs? Most of the time, these ear tip injuries are caused by inner ear infection that induces a dog to shake its head vigorously, thereby leading to the out injury. Dogs with this kind of injury are always the center of attraction to flies and other pests.
So, do all you can to keep your pets healthy. These may include but are not limited to proper dieting, vaccination, and regular vet checks to identify and treat underlying health issues.
Action steps:
- Feed your pet a healthy diet and provide plenty of exercise.
- Keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date.
- Regularly groom your pet to remove any dead hair and skin cells that can attract pests.
- Regular vet check ups to discover and treat any underlying health issues.
6. Keep your home clean:
Maintaining a healthy environment for your pets also includes keeping your own very home clean. Use Vacuum cleaners on your shaggy rugs if any, and when not needed, keep your windows and doors closed. You can also employ the help of Pesticides when needed, but always remember to follow the instruction in number (2) above.
Action steps:
- Vacuum and clean your home regularly.
- Use a dehumidifier to keep humidity levels low.
- Keep windows and doors closed to prevent pests from entering your home.
7. Use natural repellents:
Apart from Pesticides and other pest control products, you can also employ the help of natural pet repellents to keep pests away from your pets. Plants like lemongrass, marigolds, etc., can help keep pests like mosquitoes away from your pet.
Action steps:
- Planting marigolds, citronella, or lemongrass around your home can help repel pests.
- Use essential oils, such as peppermint or lavender, to repel pests.
- Use diatomaceous earth to kill fleas, ticks and other pests in your home.
8. Seal entry points:
In (6) above, we told you to keep your windows closed as often as possible. Here, even after closing your windows and doors, you may also need to keep other entry points sealed. These may include window or door gaps and any cracks or holes in the wall or foundation of your home.
Action steps:
- Use weatherstripping to seal gaps around windows and doors.
- Use screens to keep pests out of your home.
- Seal any cracks or holes in your home’s foundation.
9. Use a bug zapper
A bug zapper, also known as an electric insect killer, is a device that uses electricity to kill flying insects that come into contact with it. The device typically consists of a light source, such as an ultraviolet lamp, that attracts the insects, and an electrified grid that kills them when they come into contact with it.
Action steps:
- bug zappers can help reduce the number of flying insects in your yard, including mosquitoes.
- For optimum functionality, you should always keep it clean and
- Install bug zapper in multiple corners of your home instead of having one facing just one direction
10. Get professional help:
If you are already overwhelmed with pests in your home, maybe it is time to get help from professional hands. But depending on your type of pet, you may need to consult your vet doctor for recommendations.
Action steps:
- Consider hiring a professional pest exterminator.
- Ask your veterinarian for recommendations on pest control companies.
Conclusions
By following the action steps outlined above, you can help keep pests away from your pets and keep them safe and healthy. Remember to consult with your veterinarian before using any pest control products and to keep your pet’s living area, yard, and home clean. With a little effort, you can protect your furry companion from the nuisance and health risks posed by pests.