(Family Features) For pet owners, protecting their pets from the dangers of pests can seem like a never-ending battle. But there are preventative measures you can take now to be ready for whatever the weather brings.
A threat triggered by warm weather
A flea and tick outbreak can be triggered by a number of factors, including the temperature where you live. As pest populations can multiply rapidly when temperatures rise, most of the U.S. is affected at various times throughout the year. The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting that much of the U.S. will have warmer than average temperatures this spring and summer. This unusual early heat may help jump-start flea and tick outbreaks months before pet owners typically treat their pets, home, and yard, potentially catching households unprepared and vulnerable to harmful infestations.
Three simple steps
Smarter pet care starts with comprehensively eliminating pests wherever they may be hiding – on a pet, in the home, or in your yard. Check out this three-step solution from the experts with the Adams brand for protecting your pets this season:
Step 1: Treat your pet
The most-effective way to defend your pet from fleas is to use a product that kills not only adult fleas, but also eggs and larvae to break the flea life cycle and prevent infestations. All Adams Flea and Tick Spot-On products contain Infest Stop*, an ingredient that kills flea eggs and larvae to keep them from becoming biting, breeding adults.
Step 2: Treat your home
Both the indoor and outdoor environments where your pet spends time are spots in need of preventative treatment. Start by thoroughly washing and vacuuming any area where your pet lounges or sleeps. This includes pet bedding, carpeting and crates. Properly vacuuming an area can remove up to one-quarter of the flea larvae and over half the flea eggs. It also physically disturbs flea pupae, urging them to leave their cocoons. Finish your treatment with fogger and carpet products designed to provide complete coverage and kill pests on a variety of surfaces.
Step 3: Treat your yard
The last step toward protection involves treating your yard – a prime location for pests to seek refuge after being shed from the coat of your neighbor’s pet or even a wildlife animal. First, start by mowing your grass, being sure to collect and dispose of all yard clippings. Then apply a special yard spray such as Adams Yard Spray designed to cover all areas of your lawn.
Taking a proactive approach towards pest prevention will help keep (pesticides do not protect humans) your pet protected all season long. For more tips on protecting your pet, visit http://www.adamspetcare.com.
*(S)-Methoprene
Infest Stop is a trademark of Farnam Companies, Inc. Spot On is a registered trademark of Wellmark International.
