Protect the favourite family member!
While most people think of how pests bother human beings, pests can pose a significant health risk to our family pets. Pests can cause discomfort to pets and they can move from pets to humans, which means that an uncontrolled pest issue with pets can pose a health hazard for the entire household. Therefore, pest control is an important part of responsible pet ownership.
Common pet pests
The two main pests that people think about when they have pets are fleas and ticks. Fleas are more than a nuisance, though their bites are itchy and cause discomfort. They reproduce quickly and can cause health problems, such as anemia, if they are allowed to take over a yard or a home. In addition, some dogs are allergic to fleas, which can make them a serious health risk. Ticks do not reproduce as quickly, but they can also cause anemia and even a special tick-borne type of paralysis. There are several diseases including Lyme Disease that are spread by ticks and they can cause loss of appetite, joint stiffness, lethargy, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and even seizures.
Pets can also get diseases from pests. Mosquitoes can transfer parasites, including heartworms to dogs. Parasites can cause significant health problems for pets, especially heartworms, which can actually kill dogs. Although cats have a lower risk of getting heartworms, they are also susceptible to them. Rodents, such as mice, and rats, can also transmit viruses to dogs and cats. The best-known of these viruses are parvo and rabies. Parvo is a highly contagious virus that spreads through direct contact with a carrier or with the feces of a carrier. Dogs can transmit parvo to one another, but they can also get it from rodents, which can pick it up on their feet and carry it from location-to-location. Parvo is treatable but has a mortality rate higher than 90% if untreated. In addition, treatment is difficult for dogs and can be very expensive. Rabies is an even more frightening disease because it is 100% fatal if it develops and is easily transmitted from pets to people.
Flick has pet-friendly pest solutions
While pests are a significant health risk for pets and their families, many people are concerned about using harsh chemicals to treat their homes and yards or to kill pests on their pets. Fortunately, Flick uses environmentally friendly solutions that are safe for your family and for your pets. Our Constant Home Protection plans offer year-round protection because continual pest prevention is the best way to keep your pet and your family free from pests and the diseases that they carry.
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