The war against ticks!

[Pomp]

So, after 5 years of living in a major city, we've made the move to the 'burbs. And our house is surrounded by woods. I've basically gone from a tick-free zone to a tick-haven.

Any tips for tick prevention?

Obviously, my dogs are on Frontline. There's also a fence going up around the backyard of the house, so that should block out deer and keep my dogs from going in the woods. I'm cutting back some of the shrubs and bushes around the perimeter of the yard too. I'm also considering having a pest control company spray the perimeter of the yard (behind the fence).

Couple other things I've read about...
- putting piles of woodchips or mulch around the perimeter of the yard. Supposedly, ticks won't cross it.
- Including a bit of garlic or garlic oil in the dog's food. But, I've also read that garlic can cause anemia in dogs.


Thoughts/advice/success stories?

 

[Barb04]

Between Frontline Plus and keeping grass cut, that has worked for me. In my last house I used to buy a bug/tick/etc. application that I put down outside my fenced in area since I lived with woods all around me then.

 

[Pomp]

Hi Barb,

What application did you put outside your fence?

 

[smkie]

Ticks were so awful this spring that i relented and got the tick treatments. I have never had to do that before but i know when to cry uncle. WE spend too much time in the woods and valley and that is where they have been picking them up. AFter i used the tick treatment i never saw another one. I figure i will have to do the same next spring. by midsummer i didn't have to use it anymore and havent' seen ticks since. I also make sure the dogs get their lyme vaccines.

 

[Pomp]

I'm going the treatment route as well. Guy is coming over tomorrow to give a quote. On the first day, I walked my dogs in the new yard, I found 4 ticks on one of my beagles. Supposedly, the treatment is very effective.

 

[Pomp]

Anyone have any thoughts on Frontline vs. Advantix?

My dogs have always used Frontline, but I'm wondering about the effectiveness of Advantix.

Also, has anyone used the Lyme Disease vaccine on their pups?

 

[Barb04]

Ortho Max, Bayer Advanced Muti Insect, etc.

Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. sell these products that you put down with a spreader. I usually apply just before rain starts to get into the ground.


I use Frontline Plus for over 10 years and it works great.

I don't get the lyme disease vaccine for my pets as I've heard good & bad about it.

 

[Pomp]

Thanks, Barb. I'll stick with Frontline Plus.

FYI, I'm having a pest control company spray the yard. The company I'm using is very interesting, as the technology has been based on extensive research at the University of Rhode Island...in the northeastern US, we have a pretty big tick problem.

 

[Fran101]

Frontline NEVER worked for my dogs, for anything. k9advantix worked much much better for us

maybe have your lawn treated also? Id try the mulch thing lol

 

[dobesgalore]

We use Advantix here also. It works for us, and I also like that it also repels mosquitos as well.

 

[Pomp]

Quick question on Frontline Plus...

It doesn't prevent ticks from biting does it? I was under the impression that it kills the ticks after they actually bite and before they have to time to transmit disease.

 

[Barb04]

I think the way it works is the tick gets on, bites, but dies off right away.

I used to live in NY and CT where the ticks were very bad. Frontline Plus worked great.