Ticks are more than simply a nuisance to you and your pets; they transfer any number of pathogens and skin diseases and can transfer Lyme disease and other serious illnesses. Found all over the country in warm weather months, they can jump from one animal or human to another and engage in their favorite meal – you or your pets blood. tick problem, Slug-A-Bug

Unfortunately, in a climate like Florida’s, people deal with this atrocious pest throughout the course of the year. These blood suckers can infect you or your pet from a simple walk in the woods, to contact with deer and other wild animals, and even in your own backyard.

Prevention is key, especially for the comfort and health of your own pets. Visit your vet annually or more often if you live in warm climates to develop and maintain a tick control system that will prevent ticks from attacking your pets. Keeping them away is easier then dealing with them after they have already started feeding on your dog, cat or other pet.

  1. Keep your pet protected with a veterinarian approved / prescribed medication that will discourage ticks from biting your pet. Even during the colder months and especially in warm weather climates it is usually advised to keep using the medication year around.   
  2. Wash pet bedding regularly in hot water preferably with a product containing Borax.   
  3. Vacuum all areas completely and regularly and especially those used by your pets. Do not forget to wash your own bed linens.   
  4. If ticks are already suspected, treat areas in and around your home with tick adulticide and insect growth regulators. These will take up to 4 weeks for complete control and along with the other methods will help stop an infestation.   
  5. Outdoor areas, such as lawns and shrubbery, can be treated with chemical insecticide as well. Since the most common infestation comes from your own backyard and overgrown grassy areas it is essential to also treat those areas.   
  6. If you find a tick on yourself or your pet be careful to remove the entire body and head of the tick.  Visit your vet or your primary care doctor as soon as possible for possible treatment.   

Common sense and prevention can go a long way to keep you and your pets happy and healthy from the discomfort and possible health issues from a tick infestation.