Prevent Fleas and Ticks From Entering Your Home

Chances are, if you see your pets scratching or licking themselves frantically, your home may already be harboring fleas and ticks. To keep yourself and your animals free of the pesky and even dangerous insects that proliferate in Houston’s warm weather, take steps now to keep fleas and ticks from crossing your threshold.

Spot-On Advice

Fleas and ticks most often get a free ride into your home via Fido and Fluffy. Therefore, talking to your veterinarian about insect repellents makes sense. The newer generation of products known as “spot on” treatments for fleas and ticks aren’t absorbed into your pet’s bloodstream, so they are much less dangerous to cats and dogs than similar products once were. Many of these topical treatments kill and repel both fleas and ticks, and are applied by dabbing the treatment into the animal’s fur. Your vet may recommend oral medication instead of, or in addition to, topical spot-on treatment.

Curb Their Enthusiasm

Pets love to wander, but during flea and tick season, even leashed animals should be urged to stay on paths and well-clipped lawns. If your cats go outside, encouraging them to stay away from leaf piles and tall grass is ideal. When your dog is out for his walk, or hanging out in a fenced outdoor area, protect him — and your home — by making sure he stays aways from flea havens such as the area under the porch, or tick hangouts like unmowed grass and weedy fields.

Danger Zones

Many pet owners maintain special animal-friendly areas that aren’t quite inside the main part of the house — but are certainly near enough that ticks and fleas can find their way into the home. Be especially mindful of front and back porches, as well as patios, basements and front steps. That’s especially true if they’re pet hangouts containing soft materials like pet beds and welcome mats — perfect hiding and egg-laying places for insects. Vacuum your pets’ feeding and resting areas frequently, and get rid of the contents of the vacuum bag right away. Put bedding covers and other washable fabrics in the washing machine, set for hot water, once a week, and dry the material on high heat.

Yard Work

Often, the same landscaping chores you undertake to neaten up your lawn and gardens can make the area near your house less attractive to fleas and ticks. Rake up leaves and weedy debris, and keep grassy areas mowed.

If infestations are still occurring in your home, contact our Houston branch so that we can help you control current flea and tick populations, and prevent future outbreaks.