An Ounce of Prevention

A N O U N C E O F Prevention

Spring is just a few weeks away. But with the delightful, warmer temperatures come some serious threats for our pets: PESTS.

TICKS Contrary to popular belief, ticks do not die off during winter months. Most species will seek shelter in leaf litter and become dormant until spring, but adult deer (blacklegged) ticks remain active year-round. Any time the air temperature is near or above freezing and the ground isn’t covered in snow, you or your pet can pick up a very unwelcome hitchhiker. In addition to being a nuisance, ticks are known to spread a number of diseases including LYME DISEASE and ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER. These diseases and the ticks that spread them have been documented numerous times in Southwest Michigan.

FLEAS While fleas have been know to help spread some pretty serious disease (think the bubonic plague), these little bloodsuckers are way more likely to ruin your carefree summer vibe than send you to the doctor.

Fleas only live on your pet when they need a fresh blood meal, to prepare for laying eggs. After one blood meal a female flea can lay 20 eggs per day and over 2,000 eggs in her short life. Do a little math and it becomes very easy to see how just a few fleas in your house can exponentially multiply and turn your home into a flea infested nightmare.

MOSQUITOES They buzz. They bite. They ruin your backyard barbeques in the summer. In the past several years, you have probably seen the news about diseases spread to people through mosquitoes. But if you are a pet owner, they also pose one of the most dangerous health risks to your dog or cat: HEARTWORM DISEASE. Heartworm disease is a very dangerous and if left untreated, will kill your pet. While heartworm disease is treatable, it is incredibly expensive (well over $1,000) and extremely hard on even the healthiest dog. In addition to the cost and toll on your pet’s health it also requires a very strict confinement period for you dog as he undergoes treatment. With the average cost of heartworm medication under $15 per month, it is an easy aliment to avoid. You should give heartworm medication yearround and have your veterinarian perform an annual heartworm test. This is a true scenario where an ounce of prevention is worth (way more) than a pound of cure. Due to severity of heartworm disease we recommend that you always give your dog a year-round heartworm medication which can only be obtained from a licensed veterinarian. With black market and counterfeit medication on the rise, the safest and best choice for your pet is to contact their veterinarian instead of purchasing these medications online. Of course, there are multiple prevention options available. One wonderful choice (and our favorite) is to give our friends at PEST PROS a call - 269-993-0051. They will discuss how to keep these pests out of your yard.