For many homeowners, pets are members of the family, offering unconditional love and companionship. Many homeowners carefully choose household cleaners and other products that have the least possible impact on their pets; however, at sizes too small to spot, pests like ticks and fleas, which can be no larger than a pencil eraser, can present serious health risks to your pets and family.
According to a recent survey commissioned by Orkin, Inc., 51 percent of Americans keep pets in their home. Pets can pick up ticks and fleas outdoors, which can then enter and infest your home.
Ticks are parasitic and survive on the blood of other animals. They can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions and infections, as well as spread diseases, including Colorado tick fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United States.
Ticks are a threat to every mammal, bird and reptile, and they are found in heavily vegetated areas throughout the world. Tall grass and shrubbery provide ticks with access to passing animals and humans.
Like ticks, fleas feed on humans and pets. Fleas can be a real nuisance if they invade your home, but more importantly, they can transmit disease and can cause skin irritation, blood loss, infection and itching. Serious side effects from flea bites include fevers, headaches, rashes and tapeworms. These pests are often brought indoors by pets that lie down in moist, dark areas with large flea populations. Fleas also move between animals, so if an infested pet comes in contact with an uninfested one, fleas will likely jump to the new pet, doubling the problematic infestation.
"The best way to protect yourself and your pets from disease-transmitting parasites is to take precautionary measures outdoors and check your pets regularly for ticks and fleas," says Orkin, Inc. entomologist Frank Meek. He recommends these tips to protect your family and pets:
• Carefully check your entire body and your pets for ticks after spending time outdoors.
• Apply insect repellent containing DEET and wear light-colored, long-sleeve shirts and pants when outdoors.
• Apply on-animal flea treatments, which are available at many veterinarian offices, to prevent your pets from bringing fleas into your home.
• Vacuum or steam-clean your house often, especially around pet bedding, to remove fleas and their eggs.
• Reduce tick populations near the home by clearing shrubbery and mowing grass.
For more information or to contact a professional to protect your pets and home from pests, visit www.orkin.com or call (800) 800-ORKIN.
The greatest dangers to your pets may be too small to spot. Fleas and ticks may be tiny, but they can pose serious health risks to your pets and family.
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