You love your pets. You understandably will do all you can to keep them safe. But you may not be aware of the hidden dangers lurking in your own home and yard. From spiders to scorpions, Phoenix is home to many pests, some of which can hurt your pet. At the first sign of trouble, call a trusted pest control company in Phoenix, AZ to keep your pets – and family members – safe.
Here are the biggest threats.
Fleas
Fleas latch onto their hosts and hitchhike rides into your home. They pose the biggest threat to cats and dogs. It’s hard to know if your pet has fleas because that are so small. Look for small black bugs that jump away out of sight just as quickly as they show up. Did you know:
- Fleas can cause flea bite dermatitis to your pets? This is an allergy to flea saliva, and it leads to itching and scratching, then scabs and infections.
- Your pet can ingest tapeworms, which are parasites that get into their system after they eat a flea?
- Fleas cause flea bite anemia? If the fleas eat enough of your pet’s blood, they can actually decrease their red blood cell count.
Ticks
Ticks are spreaders of diseases to both humans and pets. But while we’re usually quite diligent about detecting ticks in our kids, we often let symptoms go unnoticed in our pets simply because they can’t tell us what’s wrong. Here’s a look at some common tick bite symptoms in animals:
- Lethargy
- Red, inflamed skin
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Change in mood
Blood-borne diseases transmitted by ticks include:
1. Lyme disease
2. Tick paralysis
3. Encephalitis
4. Rocky Mountain spotted fever
5. Ehrlichiosis
Learn more about flea and tick control in Phoenix, Arizona
Rodents
Your pet can get the following diseases from rodents:
- Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: This is a parasite transmitted by sand flies that have been feeding on wild rats.
- Leptospirosis: A bacterial disease, this is transmitted via infected water.
- Salmonellosis: This comes from contaminated food or water from rat feces.
- Colorado Tick Fever: A viral disease, this is transmitted by ticks that have been feeding on rats.
Learn more about rodent control in Phoenix, Arizona
Snakes
Poisonous snakes in Arizona will bite your curious pet and lead to some dire effects. But even if the snake is non-venomous, your pet may become traumatized by the attack, leading to behavioral and aggression issues. In Phoenix, the one to watch out for is the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, the most common snake here.
Scorpions
The Arizona bark scorpion is deadly to pets and humans. You may hear your dog yelp in pain and hold up their paw. Check it out because they could have just sustained a sting by a scorpion. When the venom takes over, your dog’s eyes will dilate and get watery, then your dog may collapse, drool, tremble, or have trouble breathing. An emergency visit to a vet is in order.
Learn more about Scorpion control in Phoenix, Arizona
Pest Exterminator and Control in Phoenix, AZ
Call our skilled Mesa & Phoenix, Arizona exterminators immediately if you see any of these pests in your yard or home. We can provide advice and treatment. Get a free quote when you contact us at 602-338-9223.