All pets like to go outside, from the house cat that likes to go sun themselves on the deck to the high energy dog that likes to go root around in every corner of your yard. However, while it is nice to see them happy, they are an unsuspecting target for many pests. It can be the fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes that want to feed on them or the pests that hitch a ride in their thick coat of fur. Regardless of what the pest is, your pet can be an easy vehicle for pests to get inside your home. However, by taking a few simple measures, you can both protect your pet from these pests and help prevent your pet from bringing them inside.
Administer Flea and Tick Treatments
Veterinarians recommend your outside pet be on heartworm preventative at least in the spring, summer, and fall as it is carried by mosquitoes. They might also recommend a similar preventative for ticks and fleas. You can choose this monthly pill or you can use external flea preventatives such as collars, sprays, or shampoos to keep the fleas at bay. You might not see fleas jumping on your pet or think your yard is somehow immune from them, but fleas are common and not something you want in your home. Rest assured that if your yard has grass, it probably has at least a few fleas hiding in there.
Once fleas come in with your pet and start breeding, they are particularly tricky to remove. However, alongside pest control treatments, having your pet treated for fleas will help kill some of the living fleas as well, since they will prefer to flock to your pet for food and the flea treatment will help to exterminate them.
Engage in Regular Grooming
While grooming is important for all pets, if your dog or cat has particularly long and thick fur, it needs regular grooming. This is not only crucial to check them for fleas and ticks, but grooming helps to limit all of the other household pests that can get tangled up and grab hold of their fur. You may even want to consult with your groomer on thinning their coat or shaving it shorter in the summer to further prevent pests from sneaking in. However, a pet’s coat helps to regulate temperature and protect them from the sun, so you will want a professional hand to help if you go with that option.
Consider the Doggie Door
From loose weather stripping to a small crack in your foundation, even the smallest opening is a way for pests to get inside your home. This means that your doggie door, which is excessively convenient for both you and your pet, is like an open mansion door for pests. Furthermore, a few centimeter cracks might be difficult for bigger pests such as rats to sneak in, but a doggie door can grant them access.
Consider keeping your doggie door locked at night or even making a high tech upgrade to a sensor door so that when a pet’s collar gets close, it automatically opens and stays locked until they are ready to come back inside. This can dramatically help keep pest invasion down in your home.
Got Pests?
We hope you’ve found this information helpful. However, if you have pests in your home, regardless of how they got there, contact us at Pest Solutions Termite & Pest Control today. It is our pleasure to kick the pests to the curb!
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