4 Ways to Protect Your Pets From Insects
How to keep your pets happy, not itchy or scratchy, during pest season.
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Shampoo early and often It’s your best defense against pests who want to make their home underneath your pet’s fur or skin.
Take note: Dogs with loose facial skin or wrinkles need extra scrubbing. Accompanying the grooming should be a detailed examination of the pads of their feet to remove any debris and to check for ticks or other pests under those tufts of fur. Why is this important? Pests are drawn to blood, so closing those wounds is critical. -
Indoors at dawn and dusk Many mosquitoes are active in the early morning and early evening, so try to keep your pets inside during those times to keep exposure to a minimum.
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Make sure your lawn isn’t a hairy mess Pests such as ticks live in tall grass or edges of lawn that are kept wild. As we all know, pets are not known for keeping on the sidewalk; they like to explore and take side routes onto grass and into shrubs or undergrowth. Make sure your pet’s visits to those areas are brief. Keep your own grass low along the sidewalk and fence line and around sheds, trees, grills, furniture, recycling bins, and swing sets.
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Tidy up inside and out A clean house is the best way to make sure pests can’t nest and breed. That means vacuuming carpets, floors, furniture, and even bedding on a regular basis. Repair torn screens in windows and on doors. Unclog gutters and remove any outside surfaces where rainwater may accumulate. Also, change water bowls frequently. You don’t want mosquitoes breeding anywhere near where your pets play. So empty flowerpots, birdbaths, and swimming pool covers—and even the area around your outdoors faucet and sprinkler system.