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Love Your Pet

KEEP PESTSAT BAY The dog days of summer are prime time for

fleas and ticks. This easy prevention guide will help your pets stay bug-free. 

ndoors

BEDDING Wash your

pet’s bedding weekly to

kill any eggs. Also, look

out for pepper-like flakes,

which could be flea

excrement, a sign that

fleas are already present.

If the specks become rusty

brown when you wet them,

they’re definitely from

bugs, and you’ll need to

redouble your efforts.

FLOORS Vacuum under

furniture and beds, and

toss the vacuum bag ASAP.

EVERYWHERE ELSE

Sprinkle food-grade DE, a

nontoxic silica powder ($10

for a 1-lb bag; foodgradede.

com), on carpets, floor

crevices and beds (your

pet’s, too). DE dehydrates

bugs so they’re less likely

to survive.

Outdoors

THE LAWN Fleas and

ticks lurk in tall grass and

brush, so mow often and

trim back shrubs.

WOODPILES Stack timber

away from your porch.

Wood attracts squirrels

that can carry fleas right

up to your door.

SHADY SPOTS Treat

areas under the deck and

beneath bushes with an

EPA-approved insecticide,

but let it dry before your

pets (or kids) play outside.

HIKING TRAILS Keep your

pup on a short leash, and

away from tall grass