{"id":333,"date":"2015-03-22T07:09:11","date_gmt":"2015-03-22T14:09:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rocklinranchvet.com\/blog\/?p=333"},"modified":"2024-07-25T04:38:36","modified_gmt":"2024-07-25T11:38:36","slug":"pest-prevention-stay-ahead-of-fleas-and-heartworm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rocklinranchvet.com\/blog\/pest-prevention-stay-ahead-of-fleas-and-heartworm\/","title":{"rendered":"Pest Prevention – Stay Ahead of Fleas and Heartworm"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AIf your visions of spring and summer are filled with happy pet smiles, purrs, headbutts, barks, and tail wags, then you probably already got a head start on your pest prevention. Nothing can destroy joyful seasonal daydreams faster than a flea infestation or a diagnosis of heartworm disease. The two pests (fleas and mosquitoes, respectively) responsible for your pet\u2019s suffering are just about ready to wake up, multiply, and ruin your summer vacation.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s work on pest prevention techniques so you can get back to your warm weather reveries…<\/p>\n

Please! No Fleas!<\/b><\/h3>\n

Perhaps you have been lucky enough (or prepared enough) in years past to avoid the true misery that is a flea infestation.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t assume that without active, integrated prevention, a previous absence of fleas will be the running trend on your property or throughout your home. Begin your flea prevention practices in early spring, including:<\/p>\n

Lawn care \u2013 <\/b>Keeping your grass tidy and trimmed will limit flea hiding places. Piles of grass, leaves, or other brush make terrific nests. Tall grass or weeds that go to seed attract grain feeding animals, such as rats, mice, raccoons, squirrels, fox, coyote, and stray animals that most likely carry fleas. We\u2019d be happy to discuss which lawn and garden products are safe for your family and pet.<\/p>\n

Control other animals \u2013 <\/b>Nuisance animals (listed above) may bring fleas into your yard where, unbeknownst to you, they latch onto your clothes or your pet\u2019s coat and come inside your home. Consider humane traps and release the animals in a better habitat. Remember, do not welcome a stray pet, or even one you might know, into your home if you don\u2019t know what pest prevention practices (if any) are in place.<\/p>\n

Vacuum daily \u2013 <\/b>The flea has four cycles (egg, larva, pupa, adult) and if you get out the good old Dyson everyday, you\u2019ll suck up mostly eggs and larvae. Reduce flea survival by consistent vacuuming and thorough cleaning of areas your pet likes to sleep or lounge.<\/p>\n

Manage your pet\u2019s prevention \u2013 <\/b>Fleas can live in a dormant stage for up to a year. If you stop flea treatment in colder weather, as soon as temperatures rise, fleas spring back to their old tricks at the expense of your pet. We recommend<\/a> that pets receive year-round preventive flea medications; please make an appointment<\/a> to discuss new parasite prevention products<\/a> (and what to do after an infestation occurs) for your pet.<\/p>\n

To best protect your pet, stay on top of fleas with a pro-active approach. Any type of control, or a combination of the ideas above, is worthwhile this spring and summer.<\/p>\n

Pest Prevention for Heartworm Disease<\/b><\/h3>\n

Did you know there are over 30 kinds of mosquitoes in Placer county<\/a>? The one responsible for transmitting heartworm disease to your pet is called Aedes Sierrensis<\/i> and must be warded off.<\/p>\n

Consider the life cycle of heartworms which can take approximately six months to mature inside your pet\u2019s heart and lungs. If you stop heartworm preventives after the last mosquito bites the dust in fall, your pet could still be at risk throughout the winter. The disease is difficult (not to mention costly) to diagnose and treat in dogs, and deadly in cats.<\/p>\n

Your approach should be two-fold:<\/p>\n