Dogs Are Under Attack From Mosquitos Too

Dogs Are Under Attack From Mosquitos Too

Mosquito bites don’t just happen to people; dogs suffer as well. Mosquitoes feed upon a variety of animals, including mammals and reptiles. Keeping mosquitoes away from your pets requires a few extra steps before taking letting your animals outdoors, but they will thank you for the effort.

Step one is to keep your pets away from standing water where mosquitoes live. Mosquitoes thrive in old tires, bird baths, ponds, or other areas that can hold even the slightest amount of stagnant water. Female mosquitoes need water to lay their eggs in as well as blood to nourish them. Keep those areas clean and dry, and try to keep animals away from the potential hazards they may contain. Also keep your lawn maintained as mosquitoes prefer to breed in tall weeds and grasses.

Step two is to apply mosquito repellent to your dog before allowing him outside. There are a few ways to apply repellent; purchasing a flea and tick collar for your pet is the easiest. Some of these are also effective in mosquito extermination. You may wish to apply a mixture of essential oils designed to repel mosquitoes. Although these are effective, always do a patch test to make sure your pet isn’t sensitive to the oils. Finally, you may add vitamin supplements or yeast to the dog’s food. Of course, you should always check with your veterinarian before introducing any new substances to your pet.

Step three is to take measures against mosquitoes that do bite. Mosquitoes can transmit heartworms to your dog, so be sure to provide them with medication to protect them. Heartworm is a very serious and potentially fatal disease that is easy and inexpensive to prevent.

Step four is to allow your dog inside if it’s possible. Dogs are packed animals that want to be close to you. Even the largest dogs can be trained to behave properly with a little time and attention. If you must leave them outdoors, try to avoid allowing them to remain outside during the early morning and evening when mosquitoes are most active. Consider using a mosquito net over your pet’s doghouse to protect him while he rests and keep his water bowl fresh and clean to discourage mosquitoes from laying eggs there.

Step five is to experiment with pest control products. There are a variety of pet-safe options that you can use around your yard.

Pesticides are a method of mosquito control that most of us are familiar with. There are various products aimed at reducing mosquito populations available for purchase. Check the label to make sure that it’s safe to use around pets and wildlife, but most of the products for sale nowadays aren’t generally hazardous to animals or the environment. Test any pesticides on a small area before treating your entire yard.

If you prefer an organic pest control method, you might want to consider introducing a mosquito killer into your yard. The dragonfly is a natural predator that feeds upon mosquitoes from birth until death. If insects aren’t your thing and you have a pond, a variety of fish love to dine on a tasty mosquito. The Mosquitofish is capable of eating 100-500 mosquito larvae every day. Guppies are another good choice for mosquito management, benefiting from thriving in less-than-perfect conditions. Bats are also natural predators of mosquitoes, capable of eating hundreds of mosquitoes in a single evening. Frogs are another option to consider if you live in a wet area that is prone to mosquito infestations.

If you’re not keen on introducing mosquito predators in your yard, you might want to consider a mosquito trap. As its name suggests, the mosquito trap is a contraption that’s designed to trap mosquitoes. They use bait or bright lights to lure mosquitoes inside, and they cannot escape. They either get stuck to the flypaper stuck inside or killed by poison or an electric shock.

There are various ways to protect your pets from mosquitoes this season. Mosquito management may seem like a daunting task, but it’s really quite simple. All you have to do is remember to follow a few basic steps:

Keep your yard clean and remove any standing water as soon as it accumulates.

Keep your pets inside the house as much as you can.

Make sure domestic pets are treated regularly to prevent heartworm.

If insecticides become necessary, use them as soon as the problem arises to keep mosquito populations down.

With a little preparation, you and your best friend will be well on your way to a mosquito-free summer.