There Texas are pests, who share your dog’s domain – your own backyard. Should you be concerned about them?
If you have created a fenced-in, private haven for your dog, you have already considered their safety. You might not have thought about possible pest encounters your pets might have in their own domain. There are a couple of ways that pests can be dangerous to your best friend.
Which TX pests can be dangerous to my dog if they eat them?
If your dog has a strong prey drive, you might see them jumping in the air to catch a fly or hopping behind a tasty-looking grasshopper. Most backyard pests will have little or no effect on your dog’s health if eaten. As a matter of fact, researchers are testing more sustainable food options for dogs, some of which contain cricket meal!
Some pests in your yard might have a bit of an adverse effect on your dog’s health if eaten. Cicadas, Asian beetles, and June bugs can cause nausea if your dog is small, or they eat a number of them. Your dog might also experience stomach upset if they eat a quantity of non-venomous spiders.
There are some pests, which you should be aware of, however, that can be dangerous to your pet if eaten.
- Certain caterpillars have a poison in their spine that can make your dog very ill. Some caterpillars can even pass a parasite to your dog.
- Cockroaches can be harmful to your dog through bacteria, parasite, or poison if eaten.
- Bees and wasps can obviously be dangerous to your dog if they try eating them.
What Texas pests can make my dog sick through bites or stings?
In Texas, as in many other regions, there are certain bugs and insects that can be toxic to pets if they come into contact with them or are bitten or stung. It's important to be aware of these potential hazards to protect your pets. Here are a few examples of toxic bugs in Texas:
- Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes are plentiful here, and one bite to your dog can result in heartworm disease, which can be fatal even if treated. Treatment is also expensive and will take at least 30 days to complete. Heartworm can lead to lifelong health consequences, including congestive heart failure and other types of organ failure.
- Ticks: While ticks are not insects, they are arachnids that can transmit diseases to pets, including Lyme disease, babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other tick-borne illnesses. Texas has a variety of tick species that can pose health risks to pets.
- Fleas: Fleas carry a dangerous parasite that can be passed to your dog, called Bartonellosis. Additionally, flea bites can result in a severe rash and skin infection. Large flea infestations can also lead to anemia in dogs due to blood loss.
- Fire Ants: Fire ants are common in Texas and their bites can cause intense itching, pain, swelling, and even allergic reactions in some pets. In severe cases, multiple stings can lead to anaphylactic shock, which is a serious and potentially life-threatening reaction.
- Black Widow Spiders: Black widow spiders can be found in Texas and are known for their venomous bite. Their bites can cause muscle pain, cramps, fever, and in some cases, severe reactions. While fatalities are rare, these bites can be dangerous for pets, especially smaller ones.
- Brown Recluse Spiders: Brown recluse spiders are another venomous spider species found in Texas. Their bites can cause tissue damage and necrosis at the site of the bite. Pets, like humans, can experience adverse reactions to these bites.
- Scorpions: Texas is home to several species of scorpions, some of which can deliver painful stings to both humans and pets. While most scorpion stings are not life-threatening, they can cause intense pain, swelling, and discomfort.
- Wasps and Bees: Various species of wasps and bees can be found in Texas, and their stings can cause pain, swelling, and allergic reactions in pets. In some cases, pets can experience severe allergic reactions that require immediate medical attention.
- Cone Snails: In marine environments along the Texas coast, cone snails can be found. These snails are venomous, and their stings can be very dangerous to both humans and pets.
Austin Pest Control for Biting, Stinging Pests
Mosquito Squad of Greater Austin offers effective pest control solutions to help keep your pets safer from the threat of harmful bites and stings. Trust us for mosquito control, tick control, flea control, and fire ant control all year long.
Take back your yard and maintain your sense of security from fire ant stings at home! Trust Mosquito Squad of Greater Austin for guaranteed Austin pest control. Contact us today at (512) 456-9954.