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As the weather warms up, many people like to take their dogs for long walks or let their cats frolic outside. While you're having fun in the sun, however, pests like fleas, ticks and mosquitoes can tag along for the ride.
These pests can be a real nuisance, irritating your pet's skin or even causing disease. To help keep your pets happy and healthy, Mark Beavers, Ph.D., Orkin entomologist, offers these tips on protecting your furry friends from biting pests during the summer season.
Signs
Fleas, ticks and mosquitoes all draw blood from their hosts at some point in their lifecycle, and Beavers said spotting the adults is the easiest way to tell if your pet has been affected.
* Fleas: Usually, adult fleas are easy to see when they jump on you or your pet, or when you see them crawling along on your pet's skin. Beavers said that if your pet is being bitten by fleas, they will often repeatedly scratch and groom themselves.
* Ticks: Ticks crawl about on vegetation, waiting for potential hosts - like pets - to walk by. They attach themselves to a host for days at a time, and most swell up as they feed. Ticks can transmit diseases like Lyme disease, which in rare cases can result in kidney failure for dogs, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is seen in dogs and sometimes in cats. Beavers said that the disease pathogens are often transmitted within the first 24 hours, so it's best to remove the tick quickly. Check your pets for ticks daily, especially after they spend time outdoors.
* Mosquitoes: Just like people, pets can fall victim to mosquitoes. Mosquito bites on pets aren't always obvious. However, some mosquitoes can transmit potentially fatal heartworm disease. While it may be tempting, do not use human mosquito repellents on your pet. You may see mosquitoes flying around or landing on your pet when it's hot outside, so be on the lookout.
Protect Your Pets from Summer Pests
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