Spring has sprung ….. and so has tick season

​Seems like winter has finally left South-Central Texas and left the stage for Spring!
Birds are back and chirping, the grass is getting green again, and trees are starting to bloom and show their first young green leaves. But do you know what also has made a comeback? Ticks!
Those little bloodsucking critters are looming in tall grass and bushes, waiting to hitchhike on your dog. Here are some ways to not give these pesky insects a chance to latch onto your dog :

• Use tick preventatives such as Advantix, Seresto Collar or oral medications like Nextgard Plus 
• Regularly maintain a tidy yard by mowing the grass, and removing tall weeds and leaf litter because ticks love those environments 
• Spray your yard with tick repellent that is safe for pets
• Regularly vacuum your dog’s bedding and check the crate for any ticks
• Check your dog after any exposure to tall grass and brush for ticks using either a lint roller or painter's tape. Pay special attention to areas around the ears, belly, armpits and neck
• Remove any ticks with tweezers or a tick-removing tool. Grab the tick by the head and slowly pull on it, making sure not to decapitate the tick. If the head gets stuck in the skin, it can lead to an infection
• Monitor the site where the tick latched on for any redness, and if redness appears, consult your vet asap
• Do not use any oil to “suffocate” the tick; this will just make the tick panic and hold on tighter

Btw ticks do not fall from trees; that is an old wives tale