Mosquitoes Spread Heart Worms & Other Diseases

With summer and mosquito season well and truly upon us, it’s important to be aware of the health risks that come with mosquito infestations. While the spread of Zika virus and West Nile virus continue to make headlines all over the world, it’s prudent to consider the dangers that these pests can present for pets. For example, heart worms are a deadly yet mostly silent malady which your dog or cat can contract from the bite of a mosquito.

Heartworms are easily prevented but have proven to be fairly costly to treat, and then there’s the chance that they’ll be caught too late after the bulk of the damage has been done. While obvious outward signs may not be visible, a trained vet will be able to administer a simple blood test to determine if your dog or cat has heartworms. If the test indicates the presence of a parasite, the vet will likely recommend a regimen of antibiotics, which usually lasts for a number of months. This course of action can sometimes be costly, which is why prevention of the parasite is often the most efficient and cost-effective measure available.

There are many different products on the market designed to prevent heartworms in dogs and cats, most of which can be administered to your pet orally. Often, however, it’s a good idea to prevent the spread and proliferation of the mosquitoes themselves, which will, in turn, lower the chances of your dog or cat contracting heartworms. In the summer months when mosquitoes are at their most active, there are a number of proactive steps you can take around your home to keep your family members and your pets safe and disease-free.

Perhaps the most important precaution to take is to eliminate areas where standing water is allowed to collect, such as flowerpots, birdbaths, and naturally low areas of your lawn. Mosquitoes can breed in even the smallest amount of standing water, and eliminating these areas on your property will go a long way in keeping their numbers down as the weather gets increasingly hotter.

Another smart step to take is to keep weeds and grass under control, which will naturally limit the hiding places for mosquitoes during the hotter daylight hours. Some experts suggest that perfume and cologne act as attractants to mosquitoes, and people wearing these products may experience a greater number of mosquito bites than normal.

Cantu Pest & Termite is proud to be the first home pest control company in Texas to offer Cantu Green Services to our customers in search of a more prevention-based solution to their pest removal while minimizing the use of pesticides.

If mosquitoes or other pests have made unwanted appearances around your home or business, call Cantu Pest & Termite and schedule an appointment today with one of our friendly, experienced mosquito removal experts.