Top most dangerous pests for your pets

PESTS THAT ARE MOST DANGEROUS TO YOUR PETS

FLEAS

FLEAS ARE A PARASITE THAT SUCK THE BLOOD OF YOUR PETS

SYMPTOMS & EFFECTS • Pets can suffer from itchiness or even an allergic reaction. Young or frail animals can become weak and even die.

• WHAT YOU SHOULD DO Treat and clean your pet, their bedding and your home, because fleas can survive without a host for many months.

• DIFFERENT TYPES Fleas can target all pets.

There are several species including dog fleas, cat fleas, rabbit fleas and even human fleas.

• TELLTALE SIGNS If you pet is scratching, has tiny dark specks in its fur, or if you’ve found insect bites on yourself, it could mean fleas.

• HOUSE INFESTATION If you’re still noticing signs after treatment, a pest control expert can eradicate a residual flea infestation in your house.

RODENTS

• WHO IS AT RISK? Rodents are a danger to cats and dogs more than other pets, as are the most likely to chase rats, mice and squirrels or try to catch them.

• REDUCE CONTAMINATION Keep pet food and water bowls clean and away from potential rodent contamination through urine or droppings.

• IF YOUR PET IS BITTEN Some diseases transmitted by rodents are fatal, so it is important to keep an eye on your pet if they have been bitten.

• TELLTALE SIGNS Look out for signs of rodent droppings around your home, scratching noises at night and holes chewed through walls or soft furnishings.

• PREVENTION METHODS Stop rodents from entering your home by removing nesting sites and sealing holes in from the outside. Pest control experts can advise on proofing, lay traps out of reach of your pets, and set baits in pet proof boxes.

WASPS

• WHO IS AT RISK? •Wasps can sting any pet they feel threatened by, but dogs can be sensitive to the venom, which can potentially cause kidney problems.

• IF THEY ARE STUNG If you suspect your pet has been stung, assess the severity of the sting. With multiple stings or if your pet swallows a wasp, get to the vet immediately.

WASPS CAN BE HARMFUL OR EVEN DEADLY TO YOUR PETS • PREVENTION METHODS There are no real preventive measures against wasps when it comes to pets, but if you have a nest in your garden keep pets away from it.

• SERIOUS ALLERGY Ensure you keep a close eye on any wasp stings on your pet, because if your pet is allergic to the venom one sting is enough to be potentially deadly.

• PROFESSIONAL HELP Have any wasps’ nests removed as soon as possible by a pest control specialist who is trained to deal with wasps safely, and has the right equipment for the job

FOXES

• DANGER & DISEASE Foxes can transmit mange, fleas and other diseases to many pets, but the ones most at risk are small animals.

• CAGED PETS If you have small pets that live outdoors, like rabbits, ensure hutches and runs are properly secured against foxes who will see them as prey.

• PREVENTION METHODS To keep foxes away, ensure all rubbish is disposed of in • VACCINATIONS a sealed bin, and block off If your pet comes into entry points to your contact with a fox, ensure property. they are up to date with their worming, shots and flea treatments.

• EXPERT HELP Pest control specialists are able to trap and relocate, or humanely cull the animals, as well as fox proofing your garden.

TICKS

TICKS BURY THEIR HEADS IN YOUR PET ' S SKIN SO MUST BE REMOVED WiTH GREAT CARE • WHO IS AT RISK? Ticks tend to go for larger mammals such as dogs and cats. They suck blood and can • REDUCE RISK carry serious diseases that A tick takes several hours are often deadly. to transmit to a host, so the sooner it is located • REGULAR CHECKS and removed, the lower If your pet spends a lot of the risk of disease. time outdoors, it’s important to check your pets skin regularly and remove any parasites safely.

• PROFESSIONAL HELP If you have a tick infestation in your garden, pest control experts will eradicate them in a way that is safe for your pets.

• ENVIRONMENT To keep pets safe, keep your garden trimmed back, and try to stop pets from going into long grass and wooded areas.

MITES

MITES ARE TINY INSECTS THAT CAUSE INFECTIONS FOR YOUR PETS

• SYMPTOMS & EFFECTS Signs of mites are skin infections, itchy rashes with white scales, scratching the face and feet, ear inflammation.

• WHAT TYPES OF MITE? Household dust mite can cause allergies, while ear mites cause infections, most commonly among dogs and cats.

• ENVIRONMENT Mites thrive in warmth, moist air and darkness, which is why bedding and soft furnishings are perfect places for them to live.

• SPECIALIST HELP If your pet is infected, a vet is vital. If have an infestation in your home, have carpets and soft furnishings treated immediately by pest experts.

• WHAT YOU SHOULD DO Keep all carpets and upholstery clean and vacuumed on a regular basis to prevent mites from breeding.

RED ANTS

• TARGET AREAS Red ants sting skin with little to no hair, so muzzle, eyes and ears are the most at risk areas to check if you find that you have red ants.

• PRECAUTIONS If your pet has been stung, check them over for any remaining ants with a glove, then get to the vet immediately.

• CONTROL METHODS There are chemical and organic methods to control red ants, but do remove your pet from the area first.

An expert will advise on the best approach.

0800 772 3262

• BE CAUTIOUS You will be able to spot a nest in your garden quite easily, so keep all pets away from it to avoid it being disturbed.

• WHO IS AT RISK? Young animals, caged outdoor pets and small pets are most at risk of being stung by red ants and of suffering a severe reaction.

Also dogs and cats that roll around on the ground.

EXTERMINATORS PEST CONTROL www.pestcontrolinlondon.co.uk

0203 633 2693