September Heartworm Reminder

​It's that time again: Heartworm, tick and flea medication!

Mosquitoes are a vector for numerous blood borne diseases in many types of mammals.  With climate change, average temperatures are rising, this means wetter summers in Southern Ontario and milder winters.  Mosquito populations are expected to increase and disease transmission will rise with them.  West Nile virus is an excellent example.

The Government of Canada Website has advice for controlling larval growth:

• keeping your gutters clean
• emptying tire swings of water
• to avoid the problem completely, replace the tire with another type of swing
• storing flower pots, watering cans, boats and wheelbarrows upside down
• replacing water in bird baths and outdoor pet dishes at least twice a week
• covering garbage, recycling or composting containers to prevent water from gathering
• drilling holes in the bottom of containers that must be left outdoors uncovered
• emptying your rain barrel if the water is over a week old, unless it's protected with a fine screen