What’s the difference between a pest and a pet (aside from the extra letter)? One is an animal you really don’t want to have in or around you or your home, and the other is a much-loved animal that often ends up being more like family than anything else. The thing is, pests can cause problems for your pets, just like they can for you. As a pet owner, there are some things you should be aware of in order to keep your furry friends safe.

Certain pests can be especially problematic for furry pets like dogs and cats. Fleas and ticks can carry diseases that threaten the health of your beloved pets. What’s more, they can be dangerous to humans too. While your home may normally not be a place where you need to worry about fleas and ticks, they can easily hitch a ride in on your pets. At that point, it’s probably only a matter of time before you have to deal with them too.

While you may be pretty good at protecting yourself from fleas and ticks, your pets don’t have that capacity on their own. They rely on you for protection from these irritating pests. Protecting them is usually easier than getting rid of fleas and ticks once they’ve taken a liking to your pet. Your veterinarian may be able to provide you with a prevention treatment. You can also maintain your yard and keep it clean to avoid making it an attractive place for these pests. Pest control can take pest elimination a step further on your property to even further reduce the risk to you and your pets.

The good news is that fleas don’t usually do too well when it comes to surviving on a human host. That doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods though. They’re still obnoxious, and both fleas and ticks should be eliminated as soon as possible once they’ve made their way into your home. You’ll need to clean your home thoroughly. Wash your pet’s bedding in hot, soapy water regularly. Vacuum every day and dispose of the vacuum bags. Steam clean your carpets. If your pet has fleas, use a flea comb to remove them and then deposit them into hot soapy water to kill them. You can always contact pest control to help address an infestation that’s taken hold in your home too.

It’s your responsibility as a homeowner to take care of and protect your pet. That includes protecting them from pests that could do them harm in addition to causing problems for you. Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to protect your home and your household so you can take the appropriate action when the time comes.

Fleas and ticks aren’t the only pests that should be on your radar. Learn how to Keep Ants Out of your home to avoid having to deal with annoying ant infestations.