Pest Prevention For Common Pet Pests

Pests are not just an annoyance in your home; they can also cause pets to fall dangerously ill. If you have pets, pest control in your home should include measures to prevent hitchhikers from tagging along with your dog or cat.

While a professional pest control company is not always necessary for hitchhiking pests, except in some extreme cases, pest prevention must begin with a commitment to your pet's health. Additionally, some pests can hitchhike on human socks, pant legs and shoes, so practicing green pest control can help keep your family safe, too.

Read on to learn about common hitchhiking pests and what you can do to keep them from climbing onto your pet or clothing.

Common Hitchhiking Pests

Mosquitoes. Attracted to pools of still water, such as those found in buckets and puddles, mosquitoes are pests that can cause pets to experience itchiness and dermatitis. Moreover, mosquitoes can also harbor dangerous disease such as dengue, malaria and the West Nile virus, which has affected people in the U.S. The West Nile virus can cause pets and humans to experience severe flu-like symptoms and can be fatal to younger and older populations.

Ticks. Ticks are blood-sucking pests that mostly live in wooded areas and areas with tall grasses. They can act as hosts to dangerous types of bacteria and parasites. When a tick sees a warm-blooded animal, it will eagerly attach itself to the host and enter the home. Ticks can carry the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease, or the parasite Rickettsia rickettsii, which causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Lyme disease can cause the tick's host to experience joint pain, fevers, a cough, and a rash that looks like a target or bull's eye. Those infected with Rocky Mountain spotted fever can experience inflammation of the eyes and joints, as well as fevers.

Fleas. One of the more common hitchhiking pests that dogs and cats attract, fleas can live in many different environments. It is common for pets to experience allergic reactions from the saliva in fleabites, which can cause dermatitis and other skin problems. Fleas also harbor tapeworms, an intestinal parasite that can cause malnutrition in a host. Extreme flea infestations may require veterinary care for a pet and professional pest control services in a home.

Bed bugs. Known to hitchhike on travelers and pets from infested homes and hotel rooms, bed bugs are pests that hide in the nooks and crannies of a bedroom and in pet bedding. A bed bug's bite can cause extreme skin irritation, and an infestation nearly always requires professional pest control.

Pest Control and Prevention for Unwanted Hitchhikers

Following are some pest prevention tips for pet pests:

-- Discuss pest prevention with your pet's veterinarian. Ask about collars, oral medications and topical solutions that are safe, effective and environmentally friendly.

-- Never leave standing pools of water around your home, and do not allow a pet to go near puddles or pools of water. If you have a swimming pool or hot tub, keep it covered while it is not in use. Additionally, drain outdoor water features not in use if they do not have a pump to circulate the water. This pest prevention technique will help prevent mosquito bites.

-- Use mosquito-repelling plants around your home, such as basil, catnip, citronella grass and the cadaga tree for an environmentally friendly pest prevention and control solution.

-- Avoid walking your dog in tall grass to prevent fleas and ticks.

-- Carefully check a pet's fur for ticks after it has been in a wooded area or one with tall grasses.

-- Frequently wash your pet's bedding, blankets and toys.

-- Regularly bathe and brush your pet, according to your veterinarian's recommendations.

-- Vacuuming is a great pest prevention and pest control technique that you should practice on a regular basis, especially if your home has carpeting.

-- If your home experiences an infestation of fleas or bed bugs, call in the experts. Such infestations are extremely difficult for a homeowner to control alone with a successful outcome. A pest control company will take the steps to control the current pest problem and help prevent future infestations.

Pests that hitchhike on pets are more than just an itchy nuisance; they can make your pet or family members sick. By continuously practicing pest prevention, you will help ensure the health of your whole family.

By: Ben Anton

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