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Fleas and Ticks
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| Spring and
Summer are typically the time of year
that fleas and ticks come out of hiding
to pester you and your
pets. Fleas lay their eggs on the
animal, as well as feed on its blood.
Along with the relentless itching and
scratching your pet commonly suffers,
fleas and ticks can pose serious heath
risks to both animals and humans. Keep
your pet healthy and happy this season
with tips from InternetPets:
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Putting a stop to a flea or tick
infestation requires treating the
pet itself, home, and yard.
Concentrating solely on ridding the
animal of pests is insufficient in
treating the problem in the
long-term. Flea eggs are not sticky,
and they usually fall off of the
animal into the carpet, bedding,
floorboards, and dirt.
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A shampoo, or "flea bath" is a
good first attack for fleas
found on your pet.
Flea dips are strong chemical
rinses to rid animals not only
of fleas, but mites and ticks as
well. Your pet may also benefit from
a spot-on flea treatment,
applied between the shoulder
blades of the animal, which can
last up to a month.
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Only about
10% of the total flea
infestation will be found on
your pet. The other 90%--eggs,
larvae, pupa and more adult
fleas--reside in your pet’s
environment. Pet bedding and
upholstery should be washed
frequently, and all carpets
vacuumed daily. Vacuuming is
especially important for picking
up eggs, larvae and pupae before
they mature. Changing the vacuum
bag often will keep anything
picked up from escaping the
vacuum and re-infesting the
house.
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Keeping pets in a fenced yard
can prevent encounters with
other animals and exposure to
new flea and tick populations.
Maintenance of yards and lawns
will further decrease pest
problems, as most insects find
longer grasses a more
inhabitable environment.
Rodents, who can spread fleas
and ticks as well, are also less
likely to dwell in a yard with
short grass.
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