TICK and flea season has come early this year in Toowoomba, the result of significantly warmer weather conditions.A warmer-than-average winter and spring have provided the perfect breeding conditions for the parasites and both pet owners and householders are being warned to stay alert.Apart from causing discomfort, both ticks and fleas can carry diseases that affect humans and pets.
Toowoomba Veterinary Hospital veterinarian Louis Gilshenan said he had seen more ticks this season then usual.“We usually see ticks after a rain and when it is warm,” Mr Gilshenan said.“Fleas are always going to start in spring; their numbers increase because their lifecycle speeds up when it is more humid.
“Flea control should be done all year and the most effective is a topical spot on treatment every month and there is also a new tablet out, which is very effective at controlling fleas.
”Mr Gilshenan said people can get their house sprayed, but should concentrate more on breaking the lifecycle by treating your animals.“With ticks, it is not 100 per cent prevention,” he said.“We advise spot on treatment every two weeks, or a tablet that is taken every two days. A tick collar works quite effectively as well.“People who live in tick areas like on the escarpment, down the range, east Toowoomba and Highfields really need to be tick aware.”
Toowoomba Veterinary Hospital veterinarian Louis Gilshenan said he had seen more ticks this season then usual.“We usually see ticks after a rain and when it is warm,” Mr Gilshenan said.“Fleas are always going to start in spring; their numbers increase because their lifecycle speeds up when it is more humid.
“Flea control should be done all year and the most effective is a topical spot on treatment every month and there is also a new tablet out, which is very effective at controlling fleas.
”Mr Gilshenan said people can get their house sprayed, but should concentrate more on breaking the lifecycle by treating your animals.“With ticks, it is not 100 per cent prevention,” he said.“We advise spot on treatment every two weeks, or a tablet that is taken every two days. A tick collar works quite effectively as well.“People who live in tick areas like on the escarpment, down the range, east Toowoomba and Highfields really need to be tick aware.”
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