Protect your four-legged family members from the dangers of biting pests
Summer’s on the way and if you’re like most folks, you can’t wait to enjoy those long, sunny days at the beach, in the park, and in your own backyard. And just like you, your pets, especially your dog, will enjoy walks and dozing under a shady tree. But with summer comes the arrival of mosquitos and other biting insects. And – just as they are to people — mosquitos can be annoying, cause illness, and even death to your furry friends. This guide outlines what the dangers are and how to protect your pooch and other pets from mosquitos:
The dangers of heartworms
The most common and imminent danger to pets from mosquitos is heartworms. Heartworm disease is spread from an infected mosquito bite. Once inside your pet’s body, it takes several months for the worm’s larvae to grow into adult heartworms. They lodge themselves in your dog or cat’s heart, lungs, and surrounding blood vessels and then begin to reproduce. These parasites can grow to about a foot long, can cause damage to your pet’s organs, and, in the worst cases, lead to death. Since there is no way to tell if a mosquito has been infected, it is very important to protect your pets from mosquitos and biting pests.
Keep the pests off your pets
Even if you treat your pets with heartworm-prevention medication, it’s still important to protect your dogs and cats from getting bitten. Just like humans, they can suffer itchy and inflamed skin, allergies, and other mosquito-borne illnesses. But remember that insect repellents (especially those with DEET) that are made for humans are not approved for animals, so never spray or treat your pets with any of these types of products. Here are some other ways to keep mosquitos out of your yard:
Go natural!
Several varieties of plants are known for their anti-mosquito benefits, including citronella, marigolds, basil, and lavender. Grab a couple of pots of one or more of them and plant them around your yard, they’ll look great and help repel the biting beasts.
Dry it up.
If there’s anything that invites and entices mosquitos, it’s water. And because they need it to live and breed, it’s best to make sure you have as little standing water as possible around your patio and yard. Check for places that are known to puddle, sweep excess water into the grass, and check around any potted plants.
Stay away from prime time.
While early morning and dusk are some of the best times to take your dog for a walk or to lounge on the patio with your cat on your lap, these are also the times when mosquitos are most active. To protect yourself and your pets from getting bitten, it’s a good idea to go outside as little as possible during these hours.
Take control!
You can eliminate mosquitos from your yard with an automatic misting system. When installed around the perimeter of your house and in strategic places around the yard, the system controls mosquitos and no-see-ums by spraying a repellent at predetermined intervals throughout the day. Using pyrethrum, an extract from the chrysanthemum plant, it kills pests and it won’t harm people or pets.
As a responsible pet owner, you take great care to ensure that your dogs and cats are fed, clean, and have a happy life. Taking control of mosquitos is another important way you can ensure that your four-legged friends are healthy. Contact us today to discuss installing your automatic misting system before summer hits.
