Trying to Prevent Fleas & Ticks This Fall? Avoid These Areas.

The fall is coming and, with it, all of the fun things that pet owners indulge in, like cool evening walks and scenic strolls amongst leaves burning with color. It’s definitely fun to let your dog frolic and enjoy nature, however, as a responsible pet owner, you have to be invested in your pet’s safety and well-being. Fleas and ticks are all around in the fall season, trying to lay their eggs before the cold weather comes. They feed off the blood of animals and, because of that, are notorious for passing on diseases.

That being said, fleas and ticks have signature areas they like to hang out and procreate. You want to keep your dog or puppy away from these areas as much as you can. You can’t be everywhere at once, so if you see your pet in these spots, check them afterwards. In addition, you should always keep your pets fully vaccinated so that they resist getting sick this fall.

Leaf Piles – Leaf piles are extremely appealing to dogs of all ages. Bugs like to congregate in the dead leaves to feed, and then bug-eating predators join the party. Unfortunately, birds, mice and many other small creatures are home to fleas and ticks, which will sometimes leave their host and search for something better, which could end up being your dog. Be very wary of leaf piles, especially after rainfall.

Areas with Animal Droppings – Feces, or animal droppings are notorious areas for flies and other carrion and feces-feeding bugs and animals to gather. Not only can your dog pick these nasties up on their fur, but they also risk catching diseases through exposure to another animals’ droppings. Tread carefully.

Tall Grass – Tall grass can be a haven for fleas, ticks, flies and other small insects. They stick around the grass to hide themselves from predators and find new hosts that unknowingly brush against them. After your dog has been running around in tall grass, be sure to check them out for ticks and fleas.

Grass and Dirt near Water – Bodies of water, like lakes and slow-moving rivers, can often be home to biting flies and ticks that thrive in the moist environment. It’s extremely important that you check out your animals after they’ve been in these areas, especially if they were in the water. 

Garbage and Compost Heaps – For those that don’t know, compost heaps are typically piles of organic waste (like grass clippings and vegetable peels) that will eventually break down into soil. These items attract a breadth of decomposers like flies. Check your dog’s paws for exposure to dangerous insects. It should also go without saying that garbage is a huge problem area for many pet owners. If your pet frequently gets into garbage, make sure they are well vaccinated and regularly check them for tiny pests.

There are many other ways your pet can be exposed to pests and disease. For more help on keeping your furry friends healthy this fall, give us a call at 800.979.2869.