Buzz … Swat! … ARGH!

Nothing like the sound of a buzzing bee or a mosquito flying by your head as you try to enjoy the warmth and sunshine outdoors. Trying to relax or play a game of fetch can become a little complicated when it comes to thinking about the tiny insects that inhabit the great outdoors. While we all try to coexist during the summertime, there are some pests to keep an eye out for that can really pester your pet in the warmer seasons. Check out five pests that may annoy your pet this summer and how you can help:

1. Fleas

The summer is a perfect time for these little mites to overrun your yard and hitchhike onto your pets and into your home. Fleas prefer warmer temperatures and humid conditions and thrive in thick piles of debris, dense shrubbery and unkempt lawn grasses which provide shade and a hiding place for their eggs. With their ability to jump several feet, your pet can unknowingly bring them inside, leading them to lay eggs while quickly multiplying inside, infesting bedding, furniture and clothing. Flea bites can cause a reaction called allergic dermatitis, which produces hives and itching.

Some prevention strategies for fleas include trimming your shrubs and lawn as short as they can safely stand, clearing out any debris and putting your pets on medication to keep fleas from infesting them. Vacuuming your furniture thoroughly and regularly if your pet goes outside a lot can also help prevent fleas from inhabiting your house.

2. Ticks

These arachnids (characterized by their eight legs) thrive in heat, humidity and overgrown vegetation, making summertime prime time for them to find hosts in you and your dog. Ticks can range in size depending on how much ingested blood they have consumed. Even though they produce fewer eggs than fleas, they tend to latch onto their hosts for a longer period of time. Ticks can transmit a variety of germs, including Lyme disease, so make sure you check yourself and your dog if you decide to take a hike in the wilderness. 

To remove a tick, usually tweezers or a tick scoop are the best ways to remove it; but you have to be very careful to get the head that’s embedded under the skin. Never twist the tick, as you can twist and still have the head under the skin. Try to get as close to the head as possible to pull it out with your tweezers.

3. Mosquitoes

One of the biggest (and quite possibly most annoying) pests of the summer are mosquitoes because the warmth of the season and the occasional rainfall create the perfect home for them. Since direct and prolonged exposure to sunlight can dehydrate them, they are most active at dusk or early in the morning before the sun fully comes up. 

Even though your dog’s fur or hair offers some protection against their bites, other places on your dog that have skin exposed are more vulnerable to the mosquitoes such as their ears and nose. A bite from a mosquito can result in everything from itching to parasitic diseases, including heartworm disease. For more information about heartworm disease, check out our previous blog post entitled ‘Keep the Worms Away From Your Dog.’ 

Some prevention strategies to lessen the amount of mosquitoes in your yard is to remove sources of stagnant water around the house and garden because mosquitoes breed and thrive in standing water. Change your dog's water bowl frequently outside so mosquitoes don’t lay eggs and avoid walking your dog near marshy places. Please do not use any DEET products on animals - unlike humans, DEET can cause neurological problems.

4. Flying Insects

With the pollinating season beginning in the spring, flying insects, such as bees and wasps, become more active as they get to work. Dogs enjoy the chase and catch aspect of these flying insects, but mild swelling due to your dog getting stung is common; but if you notice anything unusual with breathing or moving around, you should call your veterinarian immediately. Another flying insect to watch out for are flies. Although they are harmless and considered more of a nuisance to your dog, they can bite and leave a red, itchy bump. Dogs' tails are their very own built in fly swatter, but for the areas that the tail cannot reach will be where flies may bite. 

As for preventative strategies for these flying insects, you’ll just have to keep an eye on your dog while outside to distract them from going after bees and wasps to prevent any stinging. You’ll want to keep the yard clean to keep the flies away; dog poop attracts them just as much as dog food that gets left out.

5. Snakes

During the summer, snake encounters are increased since these pests are cold-blooded and need the warmth to move more easily. With summertime being a popular hiking time as well, snakes are worth a mention because dogs enjoy being curious and sometimes curiosity can get the best of them if they poke their nose (or paw) in the wrong place. To limit these encounters, always keep your pets feet visible and avoid high brush or grassy areas, leaf piles, mulch and pine straw. All of these provide snakes with a place to nest, hide and hunt; so be sure to clear any unnecessary piles of debris in your yard. Be cautious around rock and wood piles, as these usually offer snakes the same hiding position as the high brush and grass, but it also attracts smaller critters which makes it a great place for snakes to find a meal. 

Although insects and other creatures will always be around while you're outside (we are playing in their homes after all), pet parents can stay proactive by keeping yards decent and knowing what to watch out for when taking hikes in wooded areas. Keep your lawn cut short, your gardens well maintained and clear away any debris or overgrown shrubs to keep certain pests from wanting to wander into your yard. You can still have fun outdoors, but awareness is always the key to keeping activities fun instead of making a trip to the vet.

If you’re saying hello to summer, you should also say hello to daily dog walks from Going Mutts Pet Services! Treat your pup to something cool, and by cool we mean our paw-some dog walkers that will make sure your furry friend stays active and cool on their walks. Contact us today for a free consultation to customize your pet care needs!

Sources:

https://www.foxweather.com/lifestyle/warm-weather-bugs-that-bother-pets

https://www.americanpestpros.com/4-pests-to-watch-out-for-this-summer