It’s Flea and Tick Season in Arkansas

We all try to keep our pets safe from irritating (and potentially harmful) fleas and ticks, but after experiencing such a mild winter in the Little Rock area, it’s a little more difficult to manage these parasites this summer. In Arkansas, flea and tick season runs from April through the end of September, so your cat or dog still has plenty of time to become a host of these nasty pests if not properly treated. 
 
Fleas and ticks can be extremely difficult to prevent and control, even with strong chemicals, and fleas seem to be especially tenacious. If you’ve ever had an infestation, you know what I mean!
 
Tips for Keeping your Yard Flea and Tick Free
People often wonder how their dog gets fleas, especially if she doesn’t go to daycare and is never or rarely boarded. Typically, walking her near tall grass and weeds is all it takes for fleas or ticks to jump on board. If your dog or cat spends time outdoors, that’s where the majority of the flea population is living as well. So, it’s important to provide clean, well-maintained and hygienic surroundings.
 
Here are some things you can do to help control the pest population:

• Keep your garbage cans closed. This will prevent wild animals from getting access, so there’s less likelihood of them bringing in fleas and ticks.
• Use a flea and tick preventive spray for outdoor use. An example is the beneficial nematodes solution that can be sprayed around the garden to prevent fleas and ticks during the season.
• Keep a clean crate and bedding area. If your pet spends time in a crate, make sure you clean it from time to time as they can be breeding grounds for parasites. Inside your home, use diatomaceous earth powder or Borax powder on carpets, rugs and pet bedding to kill fleas, eggs and larvae.
• Use flea/tick shampoos, drops, powders, collars or prescription preventive medications. With the relatively mild climate in central Arkansas, it’s appropriate to use these treatments year ‘round.
• Keep your yard on the dry side. Fleas prefer cool, shady, moist places. They especially like shrubs, leaves, and trees, and don’t fare well in sunny areas or in open grass.
• Treat your house before you treat your pet. Always treat your home first to get rid of existing eggs, larvae and grown fleas that might infest later on before you treat your pet.

 
The Dangers of Ticks
While fleas are annoying and can transmit tapeworm and other problematic bacteria and parasites, ticks are far worse when it comes to spreading disease. They can carry Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which are both potentially deadly. Periodically checking your pets for ticks is key to keeping them healthy.

Using a housecall vet for your pets’ annual checkups and flea and tick prevention is a quick and simple process. We carry Interceptor Plus, Nexgard and Revolution treatments, and also offer an online pharmacy if you prefer other products for home delivery. If you’re in Little Rock or North Little Rock and you’d like to schedule a visit with the housecall vets at No Place Like Home, give us a call at 501-516-6813.