Flea & Tick Prevention & Tips

July 14, 2025
Flea & Tick Prevention & Tips

Here's How to Protect Your Pets from Fleas & Ticks this Season

With the weather warming up, pet parents are embracing the great outdoors—whether it’s long evening walks, weekend camping trips, or simply relaxing in the backyard with their furry companions. But while you're soaking up the sunshine, so are the pests. Fleas and ticks thrive in warm, humid environments and can quickly turn your outdoor adventures into a season-long nuisance for your pets.

To help you enjoy a worry-free summer, the team at Spikes & Houles—and our friends at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC)—want to remind you just how important it is to stay proactive when it comes to flea and tick prevention. Here’s what you need to know, plus a few trusted products to keep on hand all season long.

 

Prevention is the Best Protection

The best way to avoid a flea or tick infestation? Year-round protection. When it comes to fleas and ticks, a little pre-emptive work goes a long way. Start by creating a pest-smart routine: check your pet daily—especially after walks or playtime in the yard—and keep their bedding and favorite lounging spots clean with regular washing. Vacuum carpets, rugs, and furniture often to eliminate hidden eggs or larvae. Outdoors, keep your lawn mowed, trim back brushy areas, and remove piles of leaves or wood where pests like to hide. If your pet frequents high-risk areas like wooded trails or tall grass, consider using a combination of products.

 Many products now offer dual coverage—killing existing parasites and preventing new ones from latching on. Your veterinarian can help you decide which type of prevention is best for your pet’s age, breed, and lifestyle. In addition to flea collars and monthly treatments, consider giving your pet an extra layer of defense with repellent sprays or shampoos designed to deter pests before they have a chance to attach. Bathing your pet after a weekend outdoors can also help remove lingering pests before they take hold.

And don’t forget—multi-season prevention is key, even when temps drop, since some fleas and ticks can survive in milder winters.

Our recommendations:

  • Earth Animal Herbal Spot-On for Cats & Dogs
  • Frontline Plus, NexGuard, K9 Advantix or Simparica
  • Earth Animal Herbal Collars

Fleas: Small but Mighty (and Not in a Good Way)

Fleas are the most common external parasite found on dogs and cats. These tiny pests can live as little as 13 days or up to a full year—long enough to reproduce by the thousands. Even a single flea can turn into a full-blown infestation faster than you’d think.

If your pet seems extra itchy or starts losing patches of fur, it might be a sign of fleas. Other symptoms include skin irritation, scabs, or tiny black “flea dirt” specks in the fur. Don’t ignore the signs—left untreated, fleas can cause anemia, allergic reactions, and even pass on tapeworms.

The first step is to confirm the issue with your veterinarian. Once you have a diagnosis, treatment may involve a combination of approaches:

  • Topical or oral medications

  • Shampoos, powders, and sprays

  • Thorough cleaning of your home, including vacuuming and laundering bedding

  • Outdoor treatment to stop the cycle at the source

Remember: tackling fleas requires patience and consistency. It’s always easier to prevent an outbreak than to try to reverse one.

Our recommendations:

  • Skouts Honor Flea & Tick Shampoo
  • Magic Coat Flea Combs

Make Your Lawn a Flea-Free Zone

Fleas love hiding in shady, moist spots—think mulch beds, leaf piles, or tall grass. Keeping your yard tidy is one of the simplest steps you can take to help prevent reinfestation. Rake leaves, mow often, and avoid letting your pet roam through overgrown areas.

If fleas keep coming back, lawn and yard treatments may be necessary to break the cycle once and for all. Some sprays and granules are pet-safe and effective at killing fleas in every stage of their lifecycle.

Our recommendations:

  • Bonide Flea & Tick Killers
  • Eco Smart Flea & Tick Spray

Ticks: Sneaky and Potentially Dangerous

Unlike fleas, ticks often go unnoticed by both pets and owners. These blood-sucking parasites tend to latch onto pets during hikes, walks through brush, or even time spent in a backyard with tall grass. Once attached, they burrow into the skin—often around the ears, neck, or paws.

Ticks are more than just gross; they can transmit serious diseases such as Lyme disease, tick paralysis, and Cytauxzoonosis. Regularly checking your pet for ticks is crucial, especially after they’ve been outside in wooded or grassy areas.

To check for ticks, gently run your hands over your pet’s coat, paying extra attention to hidden areas like behind the ears, under the collar, and between the toes. If you find one, remove it immediately using tweezers or a tick removal tool, and clean the area with antiseptic.

Our recommendations:

  • Repel Spray for Ticks
  • Earth Animal Herbal Bug Spray
  • Billy Bob Tick Tape
  • Earth Animal Flea & Tick Daily Herbal Drops and Powders

Summer adventures with your pets should be full of tail wags—not scratching and discomfort. With a little prevention, regular grooming, and the right products in your toolkit, you can keep fleas and ticks at bay all season long. Stop into your nearest Spikes & Houles Feed Store to browse our full selection of flea and tick protection for pets and yards—and get expert advice on choosing the right solutions for your furry friend. Let’s make this season safe, itch-free, and fun for everyone!

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