When you take your dogs for walks in grassy areas, you might see ticks on their bodies when you get home. However, if you don’t check your canine thoroughly, it could take you several days for you to notice them, and by that point, these critters may have nested in your home. Organic pest control is the best solution to rid your house of bedbugs, but there are a few things you can do while you wait for professional help to arrive.

4 Steps to Take When Your Pets Have Ticks

1. Bring Your Animal to the Vet

Ticks carry many diseases, including Lyme, Ehrlichia, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and these conditions may cause health issues, such as migraines, high fever, and neurological damage, in pets and humans. As soon as you notice ticks on your pets, have your vet test them for these ailments and prescribe medication, if necessary. You might also want to make an appointment with your physician to ensure you aren’t infected.

2. Clean Your Pets & Home

While you wait for organic pest control professionals to arrive, give your dog a thorough bath to remove the ticks before treating your home. If any critters remain attached to their skin, use tweezers to pull them off in a slowly and steadily. Vacuum your carpet and upholstery and wash any linens that your dog may have come into contact with.

3. Use Oral or Topical Medicine

Chewable tablets are usually effective when it comes to keeping ticks off pets. There are several different medications on the market, so ask your vet which is right for your furry friend. Spot-on treatments are also helpful and only involve applying the liquid to your pet’s neck for several months of protection against ticks.

4. Take Preventative Measures

One of the easiest ways to prevent ticks from invading your home is by getting tick collars since they contain amitraz, organophosphates, or carbamates, which are toxic gases to these parasites. You should also block potential entryways to your home by sealing gaps and cracks around doors and windows with caulk or weatherstripping.

If you’d like professional help managing a tick infestation, contact the organic pest control experts at Dick’s Fumigation Services in Wailuku, HI. For over 65 years, their skilled team has provided high-quality spot treatments and tent fumigation to exterminate rodents, termites, ants, and bedbugs from residences and businesses across Maui. Call (808) 244-7496 to get a quote on organic pest control, or send a message online to schedule an inspection.