Dog Friendly Yard: Mosquito Prevention
Mosquitoes in our yards and gardens are more than just a nuisance. In many states, the deadly West Nile Virus is proving to be the latest threat posed by these pesty creatures. The key to controlling mosquitoes is in controlling their breeding places.
Mosquitoes lay up to 250 eggs at a time in still water, which will hatch in 7 to 10 days. If standing water is eliminated weekly, many mosquitoes will be kept from breeding in the first place.
Follow these tips to protect your pet and family:
* Remember to use dog heartworm preventive. Heartworm prevention is a prescription tablet given once monthly. It’s easy and safe to give, in fact most dogs take it as a treat. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes, which are especially bad this year.
* While there have been very few cases of West Nile Virus reported in canines, it’s still wise to observe the following precautions suggested by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC). These tips can help safeguard human family members too.
* Keep pets indoors as much as possible at dawn, dusk and early evening when mosquitoes are most active.
* Eliminate areas of standing water that can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and remember to recheck after each rainfall.
* Change any outdoor water bowls at least once a day to prevent mosquitoes from using them to lay their eggs.
* The APCC does not recommend the use of mosquito control products that contain DEET. Dogs and cats are extremely sensitive to DEET and may develop neurological problems if a product formulated with DEET is applied to them.
* Some topical flea and tick control products for dogs such as Frontline and K9 Advantix contain mosquito repellent. You can order them at a discounted price by clicking on our sponsor’s banners.
* Avoid using pest control products with concentrated essential oils such as tea tree, pennyroyal and d-limonine. These concentrates have caused weakness, paralysis, liver problems and seizures in pets, plus their effectiveness is not proven.
Dog Friendly Garden: Worm Composting
Worm Composting is an important element of a dog friendly garden. It’s easy, eco-friendly and very rewarding! Given the right environment and a little routine attention, a handful of worms will rapidly multiply and digest your kitchen scraps faster than any other composting method available.
You can compost your food scraps with worms and reduce the volume of your household garbage by as much as 25%. Your plants will be eternally grateful for this organic treat. It’s especially a neat, environmentally friendly thing to do as a family. Best of all, young boys think it’s REALLY COOL!
Things I’ve Learned About Worm Composters -
1. Any gardener knows that worms are a sign of nutrient-rich soil. Worms are important members of the gardening team, breaking down organic matter into compost. It only makes sense that a worm composter (or worm composting kit) is a great way to speed up the composting process.
2. Like regular compost bins, worm composters are receptacles for kitchen scraps that will eventually decompose. Worm composting bins are specially designed self-contained systems where worms can eat and live while converting your kitchen scraps (and even recyclable paper) into the best, nutrient rich compost for your flowers, plants and vegetables.
3. Best of all, worm composting is virtually odorless! You don’t even need to banish your worm compost bin to the yard; you can keep it in your basement, your laundry room, even your kitchen!
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Dog Friendly Garden – Dealing With Digging
Dog Digging For Pay Dirt
Dogs dig for several different reasons. Sometimes dogs dig to make a cool spot to lay in on a hot summer day. Some dogs (such as hounds) dig to pursue the odor of prey animals such as rabbits. Others can hear or smell insects just beneath the soil and dig for buried “food” like worms and grubs. Pent up energy or boredom causes some dogs to dig for the sheer thrill of it. Or they may dig to try to escape from the yard so that they can go on a tour of the neighborhood or meet favorite canine friends.
Some breeds are predisposed to digging. Like terriers and dachshunds. Dogs with high energy levels may also be prone to dig as a way of channeling their excess energy.
If your dog is digging excessively, first try to determine why. If he’s digging to find a cool spot, make sure he has a shady area to relax and escape the hot sun, plus try offering him his own paddling pool if he’s a water lover like a retriever. Keep a kiddy pool for him in a shady area and he will probably be most grateful. A sand pit in a shady area is another solution.
If your dog is digging to escape from the yard, try to figure out why he wants to escape. Make sure your pet is neutered or spayed so he’s not trying to roam or put himself in harm’s way looking for a mate. If your pet shows signs of separation anxiety, leave your dog in the safety of your house when he or she cannot be supervised. Take him for a walk before you leave – a happy, tired dog is usually a less anxious dog.
If your dog is digging to have fun, show him how to have fun in other ways. Provide lots of exercise and play for him. Food toys are a great way to keep a dog busy when you can’t be around.
For chronic diggers, consider providing a special area of the yard for your dog to dig and teach him that it is acceptable to dig there but not in the rest of your yard.
Here are some tips to keep your dog from digging:
* Provide fun and tiring exercise for your dog every day. A brisk daily walk. A trip to the local dog park. Always keep him busy and mentally stimulated!
* Supervise your dog when he is out in the yard. Reprimand if he starts to dig. Get him interested in doing other things instead (playing with a ball, frisbee or chew toy).
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* Make sure your dog has shade and access to fresh clean water.
* Be responsible and have your pet neutered/spayed.
