It’s estimated that 60% of households have a pet. This explains why the pet industry in the US is close to 100 billion dollars! It’s also why all pet owners should find out more about their local pest specialists.
It’s important to know which insects can be harmful to pets, this ensures you know when to call the local pest control and have the issue dealt with properly.
You may be surprised at the number of bugs that can cause your pet an issue.
Ticks
This is a fairly obvious one. Ticks are small and hide in the long grass at the edge of pathways. When animals walk past they step onto them. They will then move around the body until they find a nice spot and bite the skin, latching on.
The tick will stay in place, sucking blood from your pet. Once it’s full it drops off. The problem is that ticks can carry a wide variety of diseases, one of the most serious s Lyme disease. In the worst cases, a tick can actually cause the death of your pet.
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Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are annoying, they buzz close to your head and then bite you when you’re not looking. Unfortunately, mosquitoes are known to carry a variety of diseases, some of which can also be passed on to your pets.
However, the bigger concern is when the mosquito passes in heartworm to your dog or cat. If left untreated, this worm can cause your pet’s death in just a few months. The problem is that you may not know your pet has been bitten.
Spiders
Spiders that are poisonous to humans can also be fatal to dogs. The worst two in the US are the black widow and the brown recluse. A bite from these spiders will make your pet very sick and may even result in the need to amputate a limb.
Ants
The odd ant bite is not an issue but if your dig accidentally lies on or sticks their nose into an anthill they could get a lot of bites n a shot space of time.
This will be very itchy and uncomfortable. However, in rare cases, they will suffer an allergic reaction which could result in problems breathing and functioning normally.
Bees, Wasps, And Other Stinging Insects
Anything that can sting you can also sting your pet and will have the same potential effect. In most cases, it’s painful and annoying.
But, multiple stings can lead to allergic reactions, again, the same as a human would experience. These can be life-threatening and need to be treated quickly by a professional.
Fleas
You can’t talk about pests and not mention fleas. Fleas are parasites that cause your pet to itch constantly. They multiply quickly and can become an issue for humans as well.
Although they don’t generally carry disease the intense itching can cause your pet to lose its hair and develop sores.
It’s important to use flea treatment to eliminate the fleas or prevent them from arriving.
