Whether you have a pet or not, preventing fleas and ticks is just as important for the health of your family. There are certain ways of helping to keep these harmful pests away from your yard, home, pets, and body.

Preventing Fleas and Ticks In Your Yard

Keeping fleas and ticks out of your yard is a great way of helping to prevent them from finding their way onto you, your pets, and inside your home. Here are some easy preventative tips:

• Keep your grass mowed so they have less places to hide.
• Trim trees and shrubs back to make them a less desirable home. The more air movement and sunlight, the less flea larvae. This also makes it less likely for infested wild animals to find a way inside.
• Try to discourage wildlife from coming into your yard and bringing their fleas with them. Keep your trash out of reach at night, so that opossums, raccoons, and feral cats don’t have an excuse to rummage for food.
• Seal off any openings to crawl spaces, garages, or under decks where wild or stray animals could nest.
• Check your local hardware store for yard flea sprays.

Treating Your Home for Fleas and Ticks

Once inside, fleas and ticks can live in your carpets and rugs and continue to grow and lay eggs. Here are some ways to help protect your home:

• Vacuum at least once a week, and more often if you spot fleas.
• Pay close attention to hidden areas such as baseboards, under furniture and cushions, and anywhere your pets spend time—including the car.
• Change vacuum bags frequently and wash your pet’s bedding and toys weekly.
• Shampoo the rugs and steam clean the floors to kill any additional larvae.
• Certain carpet sprays can be used to kill pests, and if the problem persists, an exterminator can fog your entire house.

Pet Flea and Tick Prevention

From topical treatments to collars and pills, there are many ways to help prevent fleas and ticks from biting pets. Most treatments last a month, while some can last all summer. Ask your vet which one they recommend.

If your pet has long hair, it’s best to have it trimmed during the summer to make it easier to spot any issues.

Keep Fleas and Ticks off You

By following the tips above, you greatly decrease the chance of having fleas or ticks from attacking you. Whenever outside, especially in wooded areas, always check yourself and your pets for ticks. Wear protective clothing—like long sleeves, socks, and a hat—whenever hiking or gardening. Thoroughly wash your clothes and outdoor equipment to ensure no pests are carried indoors.