What You Can Do about Pets and Pests

pets and pests

Pets are adorable and fun, but they play such a unique role in the family. We love and care for them, but our dogs and cats can often be the most significant contributors to our pest problems. 

Pets and pests share a distinct (and somewhat gross) relationship—from fleas and ticks attaching to your pet’s skin, roaches migrating to your pet’s food bowls, or even insects and other wildlife being brought in by your curious, furry friend. 

While we love pets, most people don’t love pests. So, here are a few simple things that you can do to help keep your pet, family, and home remain as pest-free as possible.

#1: Tidy Your Yard

Of course, it’s nice to have an aesthetically pleasing yard, but did you know that there are many other benefits to having a tidy and well-maintained lawn and garden? Keeping a well-kept yard—by avoiding clutter, picking up after yourself, kids, or pets, and being sure to clean up any food or drinks that you may have left behind outside—will help ensure that pests keep out! This doesn’t alleviate the problem entirely, but it is a huge help. 

#2: Squeaky Clean

Regardless of whether your pet is an indoor or outdoor pet, it’s important to keep them, their toys, their beds, and anything else they use on a daily basis clean and tidy. Additionally, their food area is highly susceptible to pest infestation—like cockroaches, flies, spiders, and more. Keeping their food area clean by storing food properly will decrease the chance of unwanted pests. 

#3: Bathe Your Pets

Similar to the previous tip, having a clean pet will help negate your pest problem. Additionally, your pet deserves to stay clean, comfortable, and cozy—especially if they sit on your rugs or furniture. It takes time—and the smell of “wet dog” can sometimes linger—but, if you keep up with how often you clean your pet, the benefits will surely outweigh the time spent. 

#4: Inspect Your Pet

You may not need to do this every time your pet comes inside from their playtime; but, on occasion, it would be beneficial to comb through their fur to check for fleas, ticks, mites, and other insects that could be hiding out. Furthermore, during the warmer months—typically April through September—those insects and pests are prevalent and more likely to stick to your family pet. 

#5: Check Out for Additional Wildlife

If you are worried about your pet getting a disease from capturing a rodent, bird, or squirrel, be aware of the wildlife that commonly lives in your area. Pets love to show their owners their “prized catch” by bringing their trophy inside the house—sometimes cute, but mostly gross! Check to make sure their mouths are empty before they enter your home. 

Call Us Now!

We love that you have a family pet, but we don’t love that pests might be causing an issue for your home. Luckily for you, we know the right person to call. Who? The pest pros at Vulcan Termite & Pest Control. We would gladly come out to your home to service any pest issue you may be having. Visit us online for more!