MOSQUITOES ARE A HAZARD TO YOUR PET'S HEALTH TOO

Written by Scottie Johnson


Continued from page 1

Bird and horse owners should be much more concerned. West Nile virus is primarily fatal to many bird species. Crows, for example, are very susceptible to fatal cases. Sparrows, onrepparttar other hand, easily contract it, but have no symptoms. And, migratory birds like sparrows help to continuerepparttar 110905 spread ofrepparttar 110906 virus because they are highly mobile.

Of those birds that are kept as pets, parrots, cockateels and parakeets are most at risk. The risk factor is lower because they are seldom outside. If your home is well sealed and has good screens, these pets should be easily protected, if kept indoors.

Horse owners are now able to protect their horses with a very effective vaccine. Horses are particularly susceptible to mosquito borne viruses, and it is difficult to keep them away from outdoor exposure, even in barns and stalls. No such vaccine exists for smaller animals.

The same thing that protects you against mosquito diseases also protect your pets. Prevention!

Keep your home and yard mosquito free by being sure that mosquitoes don't have places to breed. Avoid allowing any water to stand in containers, like buckets, birdbaths, pet bowls, gutters, storm drains, and plant saucers. Many mosquitoes need only ¼ cup of water to breed.

The FDA has traditionally advised keeping your pet indoors around dawn and dusk, because that is when many mosquito species feed. That advice is no longer enough to protect your pet. The Asian tiger mosquito is an aggressive day biter. It was imported to repparttar 110907 United States in 1985 and is now found in 30 states. It carries both West Nile virus and heartworm parasites.

Instead, get rid of any possible breeding sites and also get a good pet insect repellant. Mosquito repellants made for humans are not to be used on pets. Never put any repellant on pets that is not DEET free. Instead get a repellant that is made for veterinary use and apply only according to directions. With your pets, you have to assume they may lick treated areas and you can't afford to take a chance thatrepparttar 110908 repellant may be toxic to them.

For example, tea tree oil is a good natural mosquito repellent for humans, but it has proved fatal to some cats that have licked it off of their fur.

And, consider getting a propane powered mosquito trap to reduce mosquito populations in your yard. They are very effective, although expensive, but actually kill hundreds of mosquitoes if used according torepparttar 110909 manufacturers directions. Over time these devices can actually decrease mosquito populations.

Mosquitoes are here to stay. Our best defense for our pets is to know how to avoid them, and how to keep our pets safe usingrepparttar 110910 latest scientific advances. And, many ofrepparttar 110911 things we do to protect our pets from mosquito borne diseases are good for us too.



Scottie Johnson is a life long mosquito warrior, free lance author and dog lover. She is a recognized authority on mosquito eradication. For more information about having a mosquito free life, visit her site at http://www.mosquito-kill- net.com.


What You Can Learn About Life From Your Child

Written by Marie Magdala Roker


Continued from page 1

I may not know time, but I know when all my favorite tv shows are on.

My friendships can be broken and mended without parental involvement.

Sometimes, parents have more fun thenrepparttar kids at parties, amusement parks and other events.

Know how to push your parents’ buttons.

Five servings a day can consist of pizza, ice cream, french fries, fruit juice (or soda) and cookies.

Clothing should be optional.

Never tell me anything you don't want me to repeat in public.

Parents need to be better listeners too!

Parents make a big deal of little things.

You can never have too much candy.

It's ok to eatrepparttar 110904 same thing for lunch for a year.

A nickel is worth more than a dime because it's bigger.

A messy room has character.

There is a McDonald's restaurant wherever you go.

Why do you need to know how to tie your laces, when there are velcro straps on your shoes?

The best part of birthday parties arerepparttar 110905 party favors.

It's much easier to wake up early on weekends, then weekdays.

Scarves, gloves, hats, and sometimes jackets will get lost at school.

Fish are friends, but they die too soon.

The telephone is our enemy.

Five minutes is a long time to wait.

Brushing your teeth should not take longer than 30 seconds.

The response to "How was your day?" will almost always be "Good."

Why should bread have crust?

You don't need to userepparttar 110906 bathroom until you're out ofrepparttar 110907 house or inrepparttar 110908 car.

Keys, credit cards, and cell phones like to play hide and seek.

Green colored food is yucky.

Last, but not least, you can never get too many hugs or kisses throughoutrepparttar 110909 day.

Marie Magdala Roker is an Academic and Personal Development Coach and Certified Breakthrough Parenting Instructor who works with moms, teens, and college students and helps them empower themselves to get from where they are to where they want to be in life


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