Heartworms are a big concern for pets, specifically dogs. To help you keep your four-legged friends safe, we’ve compiled six ways to protect your pets from Mosquitoes.
Why Do Mosquitoes Bite?
Male mosquitoes don’t bite, but females do because they need the nutrients to develop eggs. When they aren’t reproducing, females get nourishment from plant nectar. Many of them don’t care where they get the blood as long as they get it.
How to Protect Your Pets From Mosquito Bites
Most of us consider our pets to be part of our families. Because of this, we want to keep them safe and healthy. Unfortunately, mosquitoes are a huge threat and hard to avoid. However, here are six tips to help you protect your pets from mosquitoes.
- Start Them on Heartworm Prevention
- Avoid Stagnant Water and Moist Areas
- Avoid the Outdoors During Peak Mosquito Hours
- Fix Gaps in Screens and Doors
- Use a Natural Mosquito Repellent to Keep Them Out of Your Yard
- Get Your Pet Tested for Heartworms
You’ll never be able to protect your animals from every mosquito, so you should give them a heartworm preventative as this vastly decreases the chance of heartworms harming them.
There are several brands of heartworm preventatives and several fight more than just heartworms. We recommend doing your research and asking trusted, qualified pet-care professionals what they recommend.
No matter the brand you choose, make sure you get the right one for your pet’s respective weight. Overdosing your animal could be life-threatening.
Female mosquitoes tend to hang around stagnant water because that’s where they lay their eggs. If you have outdoor pets, make sure to clean their water bowls and give them fresh water at least once a week.
It takes about eight to ten days for mosquitoes to complete their transformation from eggs to adults. Cleaning your pet’s water bowls every week prevents hundreds of mosquitos from lurking around.
Additionally, you should avoid walking dogs near stagnant water or areas with high mosquito populations like swampy areas.
Mosquitoes tend to be most active at dawn and dusk. This is because high temperatures and direct sunlight can cause them to dehydrate and die.
You should scan your windows, screens, and any doors that lead outside for gaps that could let in mosquitoes. If you identify any, fill them with something or make necessary repairs because that is an open invitation for mosquitoes and other creepy crawlies.
While some plants naturally repel mosquitoes, certain ones are toxic to pets. Because of this, using Mosquito Magician’s all-natural mosquito repellent is the safest and most effective way to keep mosquitoes away from your pets.
Simply spray it on your yard and relax as it repels at least 98% of mosquitoes for up to two weeks.
If your pet isn’t on a heartworm preventative, you should get them tested every six months. Even if they are, you should still get them tested annually.
It is especially important to test outdoor animals as they are exposed more frequently to blood-hungry mosquitoes.
Symptoms of Heartworms
It takes about six months for animals to show symptoms of heartworms, so if you notice any of the following symptoms you should get them to the vet as soon as possible.
- Persistent dry cough
- Noticeably less active
- Easily fatigued
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Difficulty breathing
Do Mosquitoes Prefer Certain Animals?
Many species of mosquitoes that prey on mammals are opportunists. As a result, they will suck the blood of whatever animal they find. However, animals that are outside more often are at a greater risk since they are exposed to them more.
Because of this, besides wild animals, dogs tend to be at the highest risk of being bit. Additionally, a dog’s body is the perfect ecosystem for heartworms to thrive. Cats on the other hand, not so much. While cats can get them, they aren’t at as high of a risk because they aren’t natural hosts of heartworms.
Protect Your Pets With Mosquito Magician
Using our products to distribute Mosquito Magician on your lawn can keep it mosquito-free for up to two weeks! Take our product quiz to figure out which product is right for you and your fur babies.