Spring is here and warmer weather and longer days are on their way. Unfortunately, so are pesky bugs. Critters like fleas, ticks and mosquitoes are not only irritating for your dog but they can be harmful, too. Pet prevention against pests including fleas is important. Fleas can cause your pet to become itchy and can cause your dog's skin to become irritated or damaged. Ticks can cause Lyme Disease. Heartworm, spread by mosquitoes can cause major heart damage to your pup. To keep these creepy crawlers away from your dog, the American Kennel Club (AKC) offers the following tips:

• Prevention: There are a variety of preventative products for pet prevention against pests to ward off ticks and fleas. Spot-on treatments are a popular choice and typically only require just one application a month between the dog's shoulders. Work with your veterinarian to find the one that's best for your dog. Be sure to read the product instructions before using. If you are using spot-on treatments on your dog, be sure to bathe him less frequently. The product spreads through skin oils. It will be less effective if skin is dried and damaged by shampoo.

• Coat check: It's important to check your dog's coat regularly for ticks and fleas. You can run your hands through your dog's coat or use a flea comb. A flea comb has tightly spaced teeth and is great for trapping and removing fleas from your dog's coat. Examine your dog for ticks and fleas including his ears, belly, armpits and tail. If you find a tick, you can remove the tick yourself. It's best to use tweezers or tick-removal devices to grab the tick then pull out straight and slow to get both the body and head.

• Keeping your home bug free: Be sure that your home is dry. Mosquitoes are attracted to stagnant water that can be found around the house such as in flower pots. Be sure to routinely wash your dog's bed. Vacuuming your carpets often, at least once a week will reduce critters. Make sure to throw out the vacuum bag when you're done. If your dog or home does get a flea infestation and problem persists, hire an exterminator or pest control to come in to your home to get rid of infestations.

Protect your pet from fleas, mosquitoes and ticks with the tips above. Many products help kill or repel ticks on dogs, so check with your veterinarian. Thomas Pest Services offers a mosquito and tick service so these pests do not harm you and your family. Unfortunately, keeping mosquitoes or ticks off your property is nearly impossible, but Thomas Pest Services can help reduce you and your families’ risk. If you live in Clifton Park or elsewhere in the Capital Region and need assistance getting rid of fleas, mosquitoes or ticks, fill out our contact form today for a free estimate.