Pest Control
Pest control for pets should be as much a concern for pet owners as it is to pets. Fleas, mites, and ticks are external parasites that thrive on your pet's skin causing itchiness, hair loss, and anemia, while they can also transmit tapeworms that you and your children might contract.
You can practice natural pest control methods at home on your pets. One effective way to detect for fleas and ticks on your pet is to comb your pet at least once a week and more frequently in warmer weather. Pests easily transmit from one pet to another. If one of our pets has fleas or ticks, the best way to stop transmission is to treat other pets as well.
There are virtually hundreds of pest control products out in the market. You need to be aware that it isn't only you pets that need to undergo treatment. Fleas and Ticks crawl on carpets and crevices. To be successful in controlling fleas, the infested pets and the surroundings have to be treat simultaneously.
Pet Pest Management
Prior to application of pesticides, read the label and follow the instructions and safety precautions. Make sure that your family and pets are outside of the house before the treatments are being made and only allow them to come in when the spray on the treated surfaces have completely dried. To hasten drying of spray, windows can be opened while the fan or air-conditioner is also useful.
The drying time ranges from a few to several hours depending on the carpet's material and the treatment used but the effectiveness typically occurs within three to four hours after the pesticide has been sprayed. It is up to your discretion to hire an experienced pest control professional to apply the treatment for you. They are licensed, have the training and gadgets for effective and overall pest control in your premises.
With regards to pest control on your pets, there are various formulations in the form of shampoos, aerosols, foams, dips, powder, sprays, dab-ons, collars, spot-ons, as well as monthly tablet and liquid oral treatments. One of the known pesticides for pet pest treatment is a combination of pyrethrins and methoprene (generic name: Precor) commercially sold as Petcor Flea for common furry household pets like dogs and cats.
On the other hand, hired pest control operators give a one whole year guarantee of pest control. Some of the popular brands are Whitmire 410 (a pet flea shampoo) and Biotrol Spot-on (an IGR for the treatment of ticks and fleas on dogs), Linalool Flea Stop for dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens has a citrus scent (that kills young and adult fleas, larva, eggs, and pupa), and Ultra Guardian Flea Foam has pyrethrins as an active ingredient for pet flea control. If these products are not familiar to you, visit your veterinarian for recommended pet treatments.
Aside from pest control formulas, electronic pest control supplies are now becoming popular although the product first landed in the markets about 20 years ago. Electronic pest control devices are in two types: ultrasonic and electromagnetic.
Ultrasonic pest control devices emit high intensity frequency, that which is above 20,000Hz, which is inaudible to humans but is heard by dogs, bats, and rodents. Previous studies showed contradicting results as to the effectiveness of ultrasonic devices in getting rid or at least driving away common household pests including those found in pets like cats and dogs.
A study conducted by the Purdue University Veterinary School found that electronic pest devices resulted to hearing loss in dogs and cats while there are no scientific evidences to support such claims.
The urgency to conduct pest control methods in households should not take a backseat to avoid major infestations and danger to pets and human lives.