Simple and Economical Tips to Keep Fleas and Ticks off of Your Dog
There are so many flea and tick medications on the market today that it just boggles the mind. Which ones really work and which ones may even be harmful to your pet? And the prices on some of these medications are through the roof! So what’s a caring and concerned pet owner to do? I have used a simple and relatively less expensive way to keep my dog’s flea and tick free. This easy regime will probably work for you too.
We all know that ticks and fleas are unhealthy and that it’s imperative to keep these pests off of our dogs. If a household has more than one pet, the problem compounds. I have five adult Australian Shepherds and it’s a challenge to keep these pests off of my dogs! But it can be done successfully.
Fleas and ticks are known as external parasites. They can transmit dangerous diseases and also cause blood loss. It is important to know that early treatments for the prevention of flea and tick infestations are critical in keeping the pest population from developing into a major problem. Severe flea and tick infestations, especially in the home, are difficult to treat effectively.
Whenever you use a flea or tick medication it’s imperative that you read the instructions carefully. Some products (especially the newer ones to the market) can be harmful to pets if they’re used improperly or in the wrong combination. It’s also very important that if you see your dog having any kind of adverse reaction to the medication, to discontinue it and contact your veterinarian.
The best way to treat your four-legged friend for these pests is by treating both the dog and his environment and also your house (if he’s allowed to come into the house). This way, the fleas, eggs and ticks won’t have a safe haven to live and breed. You should treat your dog, his environment and your house at the same time. For treatment I use a combination of flea and tick drops, Sevin Dust (5%), flea and tick spray, foggers and a dog shampoo.
To start your flea and tick treatment, first bathe your dog with a dog shampoo. There are many different kinds to choose from on the market, including moisturizing shampoos and flea and tick shampoos. After he is clean and dry, you can apply his flea and tick drops. The most common drops are Frontline, Advantage, and Hartz (Hartz is the least expensive). Be sure to buy the medication appropriate for your dog’s weight. Read the instructions carefully! Some drops instruct you to just squeeze the medicine between the shoulder blades, while others tell you to start at the shoulder blades and continue to the base of the tail. In any case, make sure that you apply the medication on the dog’s skin, and not just on his fur.
Next, wash all of your dog’s beddings and vacuum your house. (Be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag). Use a hand held flea and tick house spray to spray in the corners, closets, on baseboards, and throw rugs. Foggers won’t penetrate these places. Depending on the size of your house and the number of rooms, buy enough foggers to treat the entire home. You should place one fogger in each room and close the door. Be sure to follow the directions!
Your dogs outside environment, including runs and the yard where he occupies should be sprayed with a yard and kennel flea and tick spray. Make sure that the “rest areas” are kept clean. I like to use the 7Dust about once a week as it is effective and not very expensive. You can make an easy homemade “shaker” jar to dispense the dust onto both the dog and all of his indoor and outdoor beddings. Simply find a clean glass jar with a lid. Take a nail and hammer holes into the lid. Fill the glass jar with the Sevin Dust and screw on the lid. You can shake the dust on your dog and his bedding about once a week or when needed.
I hope these tips were helpful for you in solving the summer flea and tick invasion. Remember, prevention is a lot easier than trying to combat an ongoing infestation. Your dog will thank you in return by staying happy, healthy and bug-free!
There are so many flea and tick medications on the market today that it just boggles the mind. Which ones really work and which ones may even be harmful to your pet? And the prices on some of these medications are through the roof! So what’s a caring and concerned pet owner to do? I have used a simple and relatively less expensive way to keep my dog’s flea and tick free. This easy regime will probably work for you too.
We all know that ticks and fleas are unhealthy and that it’s imperative to keep these pests off of our dogs. If a household has more than one pet, the problem compounds. I have five adult Australian Shepherds and it’s a challenge to keep these pests off of my dogs! But it can be done successfully.
Fleas and ticks are known as external parasites. They can transmit dangerous diseases and also cause blood loss. It is important to know that early treatments for the prevention of flea and tick infestations are critical in keeping the pest population from developing into a major problem. Severe flea and tick infestations, especially in the home, are difficult to treat effectively.
Whenever you use a flea or tick medication it’s imperative that you read the instructions carefully. Some products (especially the newer ones to the market) can be harmful to pets if they’re used improperly or in the wrong combination. It’s also very important that if you see your dog having any kind of adverse reaction to the medication, to discontinue it and contact your veterinarian.
The best way to treat your four-legged friend for these pests is by treating both the dog and his environment and also your house (if he’s allowed to come into the house). This way, the fleas, eggs and ticks won’t have a safe haven to live and breed. You should treat your dog, his environment and your house at the same time. For treatment I use a combination of flea and tick drops, Sevin Dust (5%), flea and tick spray, foggers and a dog shampoo.
To start your flea and tick treatment, first bathe your dog with a dog shampoo. There are many different kinds to choose from on the market, including moisturizing shampoos and flea and tick shampoos. After he is clean and dry, you can apply his flea and tick drops. The most common drops are Frontline, Advantage, and Hartz (Hartz is the least expensive). Be sure to buy the medication appropriate for your dog’s weight. Read the instructions carefully! Some drops instruct you to just squeeze the medicine between the shoulder blades, while others tell you to start at the shoulder blades and continue to the base of the tail. In any case, make sure that you apply the medication on the dog’s skin, and not just on his fur.
Next, wash all of your dog’s beddings and vacuum your house. (Be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag). Use a hand held flea and tick house spray to spray in the corners, closets, on baseboards, and throw rugs. Foggers won’t penetrate these places. Depending on the size of your house and the number of rooms, buy enough foggers to treat the entire home. You should place one fogger in each room and close the door. Be sure to follow the directions!
Your dogs outside environment, including runs and the yard where he occupies should be sprayed with a yard and kennel flea and tick spray. Make sure that the “rest areas” are kept clean. I like to use the 7Dust about once a week as it is effective and not very expensive. You can make an easy homemade “shaker” jar to dispense the dust onto both the dog and all of his indoor and outdoor beddings. Simply find a clean glass jar with a lid. Take a nail and hammer holes into the lid. Fill the glass jar with the Sevin Dust and screw on the lid. You can shake the dust on your dog and his bedding about once a week or when needed.
I hope these tips were helpful for you in solving the summer flea and tick invasion. Remember, prevention is a lot easier than trying to combat an ongoing infestation. Your dog will thank you in return by staying happy, healthy and bug-free!
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May 10, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Great information. Last summer, my cat that stays in the house got fleas from my neighbor’s dog that I was dogsitting for a few days. I did manage to get rid of the fleas but it was a battle.
May 22, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I’m glad my article helped!
Di
May 28, 2008 at 2:43 am
Help. Our house is over run with dog ticks. The exterminator has come three times to treat the house in the last month. What else can we do? Someone suggested diatomeous earth?
May 28, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Hi Lori,
Sorry to hear about your tick infestation. If you live in a warmer southern climate you’re bound to have more problems with parasites. Do you have more than one dog? This also compounds the problem.
What you should do is have your dog (or dogs) bathed in a flea shampoo and dried and brushed out using a flea and tick powder. Then use a high powered flea and tick drop such as Frontline Plus on each dog once a month.
Meanwhile, clean your entire house as I explained in my article, “Keep Your Dog Tick and Flea Free this Summer!” But don’t let your dog (dogs)in the house for at least two weeks. (I know it sounds harsh but you want to be rid of the ticks!) I hope this helps.
Let me know if you have success!
Diane Gray
June 3, 2008 at 9:03 am
Authoress says : I absolutely agree with this !
October 1, 2008 at 9:57 pm
I like what you have to say, only my dogs are always kept inside except to use bathroom and play at a park. I live in an apt so they have to be inside. My dogs weigh 87 lbs and around 60 lbs. And they sleep with me. With the wheather like it has been it blowed down trees, and my house is infested with seed ticks the tiny red one’s they have eaten me alive and my dogs. I got the siven dust and I am concerned if I use it in my house and on floors and my bed will it hurt me and my dogs? I have also found these flat bugs I guess the next step in growth for ticks. I have sprayed my bed with the tick and flea spray. I can’t afford to bomb my house now, finacial or to keep my dogs out for two weeks. all I have is the siven dust and want to know if it would be harmful to them if I sprinkle it inside on everything. Please responde back I am despirate. Thank you Carolynb. elusun1 at hotmail dot com
October 6, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Hi Carolyn,
Since you have such a problem in your house with these pests, you need to concentrate on your carpet, your dog’s bedding and your own bedding. What you can do first is go to Walmart or any grocery store with a pet department and look for a flea and tick killing carpet fresh powder. Make sure that you go to the pet department as you probably won’t find it anywhere else in the store. You sprinkle the powder all over your carpet, wait several minutes and then vacuum the powder. They come in nice fragrances such as cinnamon, and really do a good job of killing the pests. To start with use it every couple of days and vacuum. This product is very affordable and does not harm any pets.
While 7Dust is safe for pets and humans, I wouldn’t use it in the house, especially in your bedding. I would just dust and brush my dogs every day with it, and make sure you sprinkle it often in the dog’s bed or crate.
Another affordable product to get is Hartz Ultra Guard Flea & Tick drops. They are not nearly as expensive as Frontline or Advantage, and do a pretty good job of keeping the fleas and ticks off. It will be in the pet department.
For your bedding, wash your sheets and blankets as often as you can.
You should start to see an improvement soon after you use the carpet fresh powder, the 7Dust and the Hartz flea and tick drops. Remember to keep your bed clean. When you’re rid of these pests you should have no trouble with your dogs sleeping with you and you not finding pests in your bed.
I hope this helps!
Diane Gray
November 13, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Very informative and well written post. The vacuuming and washing tips are great. It is imperative to maintain a clean environment in regards to flea and tick control. But did you know that the “drop” treatments are toxic to both humans and animals? The fipronil that these products contain cause organ failure, skin hot spots, & cancer.
Wondercide is our chemical free, non-toxic, organic alternative to conventional pest control methods. It is 100% effective on both fleas and ticks, and is completely safe for both you and your pets.
We are happy to answer any questions or comments you may have, and invite you to browse our site at wondercide.com. Thanks again for educating the masses on flea and tick prevention.