Fleas and ticks can be nuisances to your pets every season of the year and in all parts of the United States. It is important to remember that flea and tick prevention will make the process easier if you happen to find one on your animal. Treating your pets when fleas and ticks are not present, cleanliness, and making sure your pets are healthy are only a few important factors to keeping your pet flea and tick free longer.
Things You'll Need
- Outdoor flea and tick treatment
- Tweezers
- Flea comb
- Topical flea medication
- Vacuum
- Washer and dryer
Instructions
Treat your yard for fleas and ticks. Shaded spots and locations where your pet lies most often are important areas to concentrate on. Flea larvae die in high temperatures but it is still important to treat the whole yard.
Inspect your pets when they come inside your home. Run your fingers over their skin to detect signs of ticks, which you should immediately remove with tweezers. Comb your pets after they have been outside to look for fleas. If any are found, give your pet a bath.
Apply a topical flea and tick medication monthly. Topical medications will target fleas in certain stages of their life cycle or will kill them during all stages. They also prevent ticks from latching onto a host.
Vacuum your home daily. Pay specific attention to your animal's bedding. Vacuuming will pick up the eggs, larvae and any fleas that have hatched in the house. Immediately dispose of the vacuum bag in a trash can outside of the house.
Wash your pet's bedding at least once a week. This will destroy any flea eggs that have dropped off of your pet, killing the flea cycle. Make sure the temperature is on the hottest setting for both washing and drying.
Keep your pets healthy and have regular veterinarian checkups. Pets that have a stronger immune system are less likely to get sick from fleas and ticks than those who have a weak immune system.