General FAQs About Flea Control Answered
If you have pets on your own, particularly dogs and cats, it is likely that your residence will become vulnerable to fleas. For starters, fleas can easily transfer onto your furniture and your clothes, which means you and your family are at risk of being affected by these pests and possible contracting Lyme disease.
Secondly, fleas do not just cause itchiness in your pets. Instead, they can transmit a host of ailments such as spotted fever or pass on worms! Therefore, safeguarding your pets and subsequently your home from fleas is imperative for both your health and that of your furry friends. Below is a list of concise answers to your flea control questions.
Can fleas be avoided?
While there is no clear-cut way of keeping fleas out of your yard, you can take steps to prevent them from infesting your pets. There is a host of medications that you can choose to stave off an infestation. While topical medications were the norm in years past, veterinarians have found oral medicines are much more efficient at preventing a scourge of fleas in your home. Additionally, it is essential to make sure that you observe correct grooming on a regular basis so that your pet's coat is clean and free of pests. Take note that matted fur is a haven for bugs, so if your pet has some matted tufts of fur, they could easily hide the fleas.
Can you purchase the same medication for your dog and cat?
It may seem logical to buy extra dosages of the same medicine to administer to both your cats and dogs if they have a flea infestation, but this can prove deadly. Cats have a vastly different metabolism than dogs. Thus, while one medication will work brilliantly on your dog for flea extermination, the same medication can kill your cat! Some substances, for instance, permethrin, are harmless to dogs but fatal to cats.
Should you only worry about infestations during the summer?
Fleas may be highly active during the warmer months, but this does not mean your safe during the winter. While cold temperatures do limit their activity, if the fleas are already nesting in your dog's fur then they will survive the cold months and thrive all year round! Therefore, there is no one season when you should overlook flea control for your pets. As long as you see the signs of a flea infestation, such as specks of brownish coloured faeces and white specks of larvae, it is imperative to enlist flea control services to keep your home pest free. Moreover, owning pets should prompt you to have them inspected for fleas every other month.
Contact a company like Stewarts Pest Control today to learn more.