Stop 3 dangerous pests from attacking your dog

Letting your dog run around your backyard is great for his senses and mental and physical health. But did you know that your yard is likely riddled with pests that could harm your beloved pooch?

Ticks, fleas, and rodents threaten your dog and could even land you an emergency vet bill of between $800 and $1,500. So, it’s best to banish these pests from your yard once and for all. 

Blood-sucking fleas and ticks

As a dog owner, fleas and ticks are two worst things you can find on your pet. Fleas will suck on your dog’s blood and can cause tapeworm and anemia.

Many dogs have allergic reactions to fleas too. Ticks are also bloodsuckers and can cause anemia. Some ticks can even paralyze a dog.

Fleas and ticks will like any part of your yard that’s overgrown. They also prefer moist, shady areas.

By keeping your lawn nice and short, you’ll discourage them.

Always clean up piles of leaves and other debris that fleas and ticks are likely to hang out in them. If you have a lot of shade in your yard, open it up as much as possible to let more light in.

Simply cutting back trees can add a lot of light to your yard and protect your pooch.

Biting mosquitoes

There are 12 types of mosquitoes in the U.S. that carry germs. Mosquitoes are attracted to dogs because they have oily coats.

If your dog is mooching around your yard, there’s a good chance that a mosquito will hop onto its back. Mosquito bites are very irritating for dogs and will cause itching.

A dog bitten by a mosquito is also at risk of heartworm, Saint Louis encephalitis (SLE), and West Nile virus (WNV). You may need to call a professional pest control company to eliminate mosquitoes if they’ve taken over your yard and home.

Further, protect your dog in the yard using cedar mulch to prevent excess moisture.

You could also plant plants that repel mosquitoes, including Catnip, Lemongrass, and Peppermint. Just make sure you choose plants that are non-toxic to dogs.

Roaming rodents

Like it or not, rodents hide in almost every yard.

Mice and rats carry some horrible diseases, including leptospirosis and Salmonella.

Some dogs have a natural hunter instinct and will chase, catch, kill, and even try to eat mice and rats. A dog that eats a rodent is at risk of intestinal worms and secondary poisoning.

You can deter rodents from your yard by cleaning up after your dog daily. This includes disposing of their feces and removing leftover food and water.

Make sure there’s nowhere for rodents to nest, such as piles of leaves or undergrowth.

Protect your dog from pests

Your yard should be a safe and enjoyable place for your dog.

Keep it this way by taking action to prevent as many pests as possible from invading your green space and threatening your dog.