Annoying Outdoor Pests and their Danger to your Pets

Summers in Maryland are filled with warm weather, lots of sun, and plenty of fun outdoor activities. If you have pets, though, it is important to think about how you can keep your animals safe from the many outdoor pests that are in your yard. Mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and spiders can all be harmful to your pet’s health and need to be addressed as soon as possible.

Mosquitoes

Zika virus, West Nile virus and Dengue fever are just a few of the diseases that mosquitoes can pass on to humans. But, did you know that mosquitoes can harm your pet as well? If you notice that your pet is coughing and seems lethargic, they may have contracted heartworms. If not properly treated, heartworms can kill your pet. That is why it is crucial to keep the mosquito population under control as soon as the weather starts to warm up. Walk through your yard and get rid of any areas of standing water.

Fleas

Fleas can cause skin irritation and hair loss. In some situations, fleas can even transmit parasites to your pet. As a result, it is important to talk to your veterinarian about getting your pet on a flea treatment. There are a number of different products on the market, so think through your options and choose the one that makes the most sense for your dog or cat. Keep a watchful eye on your pet throughout the year so you can quickly address a flea infestation as soon as it starts.

Ticks

Ticks often make their way onto your pet without being seen, and if your dog or cat has a lot of hair, they may be hard to find. Ticks carry diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, canine anaplasmosis and Lyme disease. Ticks are a serious concern, as they can cause significant health issues for both humans and pets. To keep ticks from becoming a problem, make sure to bathe your pet on a regular basis. If you know you have ticks in your area, cut your grass often to keep numbers down. Finally, make sure to look for ticks on a regular basis.

Spiders

A spider bite can do a lot of damage to your pet. It could cause skin irritation, vomiting, fever and even exhaustion. In addition, if your dog or cat happens to get bitten by a brown recluse or a black widow, it could die, particularly if your animal is small to begin with. A pet suffering from a spider bite may have diarrhea, vomiting, paralysis or tremors, among other things. To keep the spiders at bay, make sure you put your pet’s food out in the open rather than in a dark, cramped area.

Additional Maryland Pests That Bother Your Pets

Among the other pests listed above, there are a wide range of insects that are happy to annoy both your pets and your family. Bed bugs, clover mites, mosquitoes, stink bugs, deer flies, carpenter ants, mites, and baldfaced hornets are all common pests that are happy to ruin your family’s time outside.

Summer is just around the corner, which means a lot more time spent outdoors. Your pet will have the opportunity to be outside a lot more as well. Keep in mind that you must be vigilant about pests during this time. Get in touch with Barefoot Pest Control to help protect your yard and your pets!