Year Round Flea and Tick Prevention

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     Many pet owners mistakenly believe they can forego flea and tick treatment through the winter months. This is a dangerous practice and one that is based on the idea that fleas and ticks are not active when the weather gets cold. It is true that they are less active, particularly ticks, however they are not completely eradicated during this time and the safest plan of action for your pet is to continue his or her treatments year round.

Fleas

Fleas are tiny parasites that live on the blood of warm-blooded mammals. There are several species of flea, but in general they affect the host in the same manner and have common characteristics such as jumping ability, life span, reproduction and disease potential. While they are more active in the warm summer months, your pet may not be free and clear for the winter. Consider the lifespan and population facts below:

?Four life stages: eggs, larvae, pupae, imago (adult)
?Typical flea population consists of: 50% eggs, 35% larvae, 10% pupae and 5% imago
?Incubation: ranges from two weeks to eight months!

These are startling numbers to say the least, considering that 50% of the flea population on your pet or around your home is eggs and the lengthy potential incubation period shows that year round flea protection is essential.

Ticks

It is true that ticks are more active in warm months, which means tick season can vary wildly from one area of the country to the next. In Iowa, for example, a warm spring can bring ticks out as early as April, and of course, a warm fall can keep them active long past the normal season.

Ticks are generally found in tall grass where they wait for a potential host to meander past, they are very good at detecting heat. They attach to the host by inserting cutting mandibles and a feeding tube into the skin. The tube is covered with tiny re-curved teeth that anchor it into the skin making a tick very difficult to remove. Females need to feed for roughly three days in order to lay her eggs, all 2000 of them!

Utilizing year round tick control can prevent infestation when the weather warms and always protects your pet from potential disease. It would be a shame for a deer or other warm-blooded mammal to wander across your property and drop this parasite for your dog to pick up, which could result in a serious if not life threatening disease.

Conclusion

Fleas and ticks carry all sorts of blood borne illnesses. Some of these are particular to animals while Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Tick Fever can be spread to humans. Generally speaking, flea and tick control is not that expensive or difficult; many vets will place your pet on a monthly routine at a nominal cost. Keep your pet and your loved ones protected from these tiny blood-sucking parasites by maintaining your pest control all year long. Not doing so could result in serious illness for your family or your dog.