FLEAS AND TICKS ARE MORE THAN A NUISANCE TO FAMILY PETS

Johnson Pest Control urges pet owners to take proactive steps to protect their animals

Plenty of pests pose health risks to humans, but there are also those that can be dangerous for other beloved family members— pets. Summer is prime season for ticks and fleas, which pose serious health risks to pets.

TickTicks are vectors of Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which can be transmitted to humans, but they can also cause tick paralysis in dogs. This can cause muscle weakness, loss of coordination and even death if the chest muscles become paralyzed, causing respiratory failure.

Adult FleaThough often thought of as an itchy annoyance, fleas also pose a serious health threat to pets if left unchecked. Beyond the fact that they breed with lightning speed and quickly infest homes, fleas’ saliva can cause anemia, dermatitis and can transfer tapeworms.

Fleas and ticks are especially problematic in the warmer months. Time spent playing outside with pets or walking in the woods or in tall grassy can put pets at risk for picking up these pests. It’s important for owners to carefully check their pets frequently throughout the season.

Johnson Pest Control along with the National Pest Management Association, a nonprofit organization committed to the protection of public health, food and property from household pests, offers these tips to help prevent fleas and ticks:

  • Check pets frequently for fleas and flea dirt. Be aware of excessive scratching, licking and nibbling grooming behavior in pets Avoid walking in tall grass where there is a greater chance of encountering fleas and ticks
  • Avoid tick habitats such as low-growing brushy vegetation along the edge of the woods or a trail
  • Bathe pets after walks or playtime with other animals
  • Wash pet bedding, collars and plush toys frequently
  • Wash bed linens and vacuum carpets, floors and furniture frequently
  • Empty vacuum bags in an outside receptacle
  • Speak to a veterinarian about flea and tick prevention treatments
  • If you suspect an infestation, contact a licensed pest professional immediately to treat the problem.

To speak with a pest professional about your flea or tick issues, contact Johnson Pest Control in Sevierville, Knoxville & East Tennessee at 865-453-7587 and visit our home flea treatment page.

 

Fleas and Ticks are More Than a Nuisance to Family Pets in Sevierville TN

Serving Sevier County and surrounding areas since 1984

Sevierville | Loudon | Knoxville | Jefferson City | Morristown

Newport | Maryville | Pigeon Forge | Gatlinburg

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