The prevention of ticks is similar to that of flea prevention. Ticks are picked up by both humans and animals outside usually in areas that are home to grasses, shrubs and other low-lying vegetation. Contrary to popular belief, ticks are unable to “jump” onto a host, they are only able to crawl so in most cases the tick is picked up by brushing against some vegetation. So how do you keep them at bay?

The easiest way to keep ticks at bay is to keep your lawn well manicured. Mow your grass short and remove any debris, such as leaves or grass clippings. Remove any wood piles that may attract ticks and other insects. If you have high grass on your property, such as prairie grass, you can treat the area with a yard spray such as Annihilator Premise Spray, which is effective for about a month. It is safe for your garden plants and can also be used in your home.

To keep your pet protected, you can use a spot-on treatment such as K-9 Advantix or Bio-Spot. These treatments repel ticks before they can bite your pet. They are applied monthly to keep your pet pest free.

If your pet is heavily infested with ticks, call your veterinarian immediately. A large number of ticks can be deadly to your pet. Should this happen, your pet will probably be treated with either a spray or a dip, such as Virbac Pyrethrin Dip. Be sure to follow package directions or the direction of your veterinarian when using a spray or dip.