Protect yourself and your furry friends by:
- Making sure your pet's flea, tick and worming treatment is up to date.
- Check your pet for ticks after spending time outdoors. Move your hands round their body and check for and unusual small bumps.
- Always check for ticks after country walks.
- Don't panic and resist the urge to pull a tick straight off as this would be painful for your pet. Ticks always need to be removed slowly and carefully, otherwise embedded mouth parts can be left behind.
- Use insect repellent (on humans!)
- Walk in the centre of paths and avoid over-hanging vegetation at the edge of paths.- Deter ticks from gardens: keep leaf litter to a minimum, grass short, vegetation cut back, and seating and play equipment away from borders, trees and bird feeders.
- Regularly groom your pets.Remember, early detection is key!