Having any type of inspection is not something that most people look forward to. It doesn’t matter if you live in a house or an apartment, you’re effectively allowing someone else into your home to look at everything.
However, if you are concerned that you have a tick infestation, the inspection is a logical step forward. You’ll need to contact a reputable pest control company as they will be able to verify the presence of ticks, or not. They can also advise regarding the size of the infestation and the type of tick you’re dealing with.
Remember, while most ticks will target animals first, they are quite happy to suck your blood as well.
Before the inspector arrives with their dog, it’s advisable to take the following measures. It will help to ensure the dog is fully focused and not distracted. That increases their chances of success.
Remove Clutter
Clutter gives pests somewhere to hide and it means there are more places for the dog to sniff and an increased likelihood of ticks being missed. The best thing you can do is remove all unwanted items and recycle them, discard any rubbish and make sure there are clear pathways through your home.
This will give any ticks fewer places to hide, ensuring they cluster together which makes it easier for the dog to sniff them out.
Avoid Treating The Infestation
If you have ticks or any type of infestation then you’re going to want to take action. For many people that means spraying pesticides around the home.
However, while these may be effective against ticks, they will also make it much harder for the dog to smell the ticks. The problem with such sensitive noses is that they will pick up all the smells, including the pesticide.
Alongside this, many pesticides are toxic to dogs. You don’t want to book an inspection and make the dog ill.
Remove Your Own Pets
The ideal time to do this is a week before the inspection. However, this isn’t always possible as you will have to find somewhere else for them to live. But, the earlier you can get your pets out of the house, the less distracting it will be to the dog.
Move Your Furniture
Just before the dog arrives for the inspection it’s a good idea to move all your furniture away from the wall. Ideally, bring it out by two feet, giving the dog plenty of space to walk around and find any ticks.
Remember To Treat The Dog As A Professional
All dogs love to be made a fuss of and the canine tick inspection dog is no different. But, they are there to do a job. That means you should say hello to them and make a small fuss when they arrive, then leave the dog to do its job. Interfering in any way simply makes it take longer and reduces the likelihood of ticks being spotted, even if they are in your home.
