Warm Weather Tips: Keep Bugs at Bay
With the warm weather come different species of flies and gnats. This can cause just an annoyance, but can also lead to infected skin and problems with the ears. Help your family pet avoid being bitten by following a couple quick steps:
- Clean up feces, manure, dead grass and avoid straw bedding in areas where your pet lives. Also avoid large areas of stale water where pests can breed.
- Use fly traps.
- Use insecticide to spray the premises. Make sure your pet is not near the area when you are spraying don't allow access until it dries.
- Flies like to breed in warm sunny windows. Make sure to focus traps and sprays near windows.
- Flies will often bite the edges of pet's ears. Also thin skinned areas with less hair may be the target.
- Use fly ointments on areas where bugs are biting. Ointment provides a better barrier against bites. Other product like Vaseline® or Neosporin® will also provide a barrier, but not bug repellency.
- Clean areas where flies have bit daily with warm water and a mild soap. For more extensive cleaning, use an oatmeal based shampoo.
- Use fly control products in small amounts. Discontinue use if any skin irritation occurs.
- Frontline® has shown some repellency against flies and mosquitoes. At The Zimmerman Veterinary Clinic, we recommend using this product monthly.
- Parasites such as ticks that are attached should be removed immediately to reduce the risk of Lyme disease. They can cause a local skin reaction that could lead to infection.
Many pets benefit from a grooming and shaving of their hair coat during warm weather. A short haircoat makes bugs and ticks easier to visualize and remove. Make sure the groomer is aware of any allergies or ear problems so they can appropriately groom the pet.
Disclaimer: This written content is meant to be educational and is not medical advice. Always consult a veterinarian about medical advice for your pet.