Have Fleas or Ticks Invaded Your Belpre-Area Home? Protect Your Pets
Last month, we discussed how to keep fleas out of your home, with a few tips and tricks. What happens when the fleas, and even ticks, move in on your pets? Eastern-Burkholder Exterminators, Inc., is here to help you learn more about flea prevention and tick prevention this fall.
One thing most pet owners dread is finding fleas or ticks on their furry friends. Your pets are your family, and there’s nothing worse than seeing them suffering from flea or tick bites. Even worse, some ticks can cause great health problems for your pet or even your family, including Lyme’s disease and other grave illnesses – not to mention the ultimate discomfort of fleas and ticks, especially in excess.
When finding fleas or ticks on your pet, you may not know how to properly get rid of them. The expert exterminators of Eastern-Burkholder Exterminators, Inc., are here to help you rid your home of fleas and ticks this fall, and advise you on how to keep them away throughout the year.
Fleas and Ticks Don’t Stop in the Fall. Keep Them Away Year-Round
You might be thinking, it’s fall. Why are there still so many fleas and ticks? Unfortunately, fleas and ticks aren’t phased by the fall, and love to spend their days living in leaves and grass. They’re happy to hitch a ride on your pet in order to go inside to the warmth of your home, as well. PetMD provides great tips for avoiding fleas, ticks, and other parasites in the fall, including:
Avoid large leaf piles. Like we mentioned, fleas and ticks love big piles of leaves and twigs. When raking, walking through the woods, or just spending time outside, keep an eye on your pets to make sure they are not spending time around piles of leaves.
Avoid tall grass and fields. Just like with leaves, fleas and ticks can reside in fields or tall grass. Keep grass low, and try to keep your pet away from areas with tall grass.
Wash bedding and blankets after spending time outdoors. Most pets have a favorite bed, blanket, or toy that they use after a long day outside. Make sure to wash these items with hot water to get rid of any fleas or ticks. This can also include clothing you wore outside, and any items you brought out with you. Fleas especially like spending time where you and your pets do – which can include bedding, furniture, clothing, and other commonly used areas or items.
Once inside, make sure to check over your pet for ticks and fleas. If you find any, act fast. Fleas and ticks can quickly cause damage to your pet and even your own health.
At-Home Flea Prevention: Are These Treatments Enough?
Pet owners commonly purchase at-home flea prevention remedies to help their pets, whether it be medicine, sprays, collars, or other do-it-yourself options. It’s good to first consult with your veterinarian before buying any flea products for your home or your pet. They will know best whether or not the treatment works or could potentially cause harm to you or your pet. They may also be able to provide you with flea remedies there.
If your flea treatments are not working, it may be time to call on Eastern-Burkholder Exterminators, Inc. Our team can provide a complete inspection of your home and property to find out how severe the flea infestation is. After discussing your options, we can provide professional extermination services to rid fleas from your home in the Belpre, OH, area.
Store-Bought Tick Prevention and Treatment Options
Like fleas, there are also many options at the store to keep ticks away from your pets. Once again, it’s very important to speak with your vet before starting any kind of tick prevention treatment or medicine, especially if you have found one or more ticks on your pet.
To avoid ticks, collars and topical medications can help to repel them. Also be sure to have proper yard treatments, and check your pet regularly, especially if they spend a lot of time outside in the fall. If you notice an influx of ticks this fall, make sure to call on Eastern-Burkholder Exterminators, Inc. We also have a showroom full of quality products to keep ticks away year-round.
What Do I Do if There is a Tick on My Pet?
If you find a tick on your pet, there are a few steps to properly remove it and what to do next. The CDC provides step-by-step instructions:
- Using fine-tipped tweezers, grab the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull upwards without twisting or jerking in order to remove the whole tick.
- Clean the bite with rubbing alcohol or soap and water
- Do not crush the tick. Put it in alcohol, then wrap it in tape and place in a tightly sealed plastic bag. You can also flush it down the toilet.
If you find a tick on your pet, it’s better to save it, if possible, and call your vet. Your vet can then check over your pet and advise you on where to turn next. Tick bites can cause a wide range of diseases that can affect your pet for life, including Lyme’s disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and tick paralysis.
It is also important to remember that cats, dogs, and other pets may react differently to a tick bite. Monitor your pet for the next few weeks to see if there are any changes to their appetite, sleeping habits, or overall physical health or appearance. You know your pet better than anyone, and will know the right time to consult a vet.
Flea and Tick Prevention with Eastern-Burkholder Exterminators, Inc.
When at-home tick and flea treatments stop working, reach out to Eastern-Burkholder Exterminators, Inc., in Belpre, OH. We provide home inspections to find fleas and ticks, and can offer effective extermination and pest control services to home and business owners in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Visit our showroom to find more at-home options, or trust our exterminators to complete the job, leaving your space tick and flea-free this fall.
For more information on how to protect your pets from fleas and ticks, give Eastern-Burkholder Exterminators, Inc. a call at (740) 423-6887 or toll-free at (800) 510-6871. Follow us on Facebook for updates!
