TAHLEQUAH — As temperatures warm, nature-lovers are getting outside more, and as a result, rarely forget to protect themselves against bug bites.

On the other hand, people sometimes forget it’s just as important to protect their furry family members who spend far more time outdoors.

April is National Pet Month, and as flea and tick season approaches, one area veterinarian has a radical approach to controlling the pests.

“I think a healthy dose of napalm on the yard should fix it,” said Dr. Bill Elliott, joking. “Or a layer of concrete, that would do it.”

Elliott understands the seriousness of the flea and tick problem in Cherokee County, and puns aside, believes an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

“Flea and tick problems are environment-related,” said Elliott. “If people control their pets’ environment, they can control pest problems. I’d rather spend $10 treating the yard, than mess with an infestation problem.”

Elliott said fleas and ticks are always a problem in Cherokee County, and recommends Frontline Plus and Preventick to keep them at bay.

Pet-owners often prefer Frontline Plus, along with K-9 Advantix, Revolution and others, because they are applied every 30 days to a pet’s coat.

Other products include chewable tablets, like Comfortis and Program, if Fido prefers a flavored treat from time to time.

To properly control pests, using a combination of medication and flea and tick collars is recommended.

As Elliott said, treating a pet’s environment is the key to keeping them healthy.

Roger Saunders, general manager at Tahlequah’s Farmers Co-op, said  people are already stocking up on tick granules and other products.

“A lot of people are already coming in for these items, and it’s really early,” said Saunders. “I don’t know if that means we’re going to have a bad year this year for fleas and ticks, or if people are just starting their prevention earlier.”

For the yard, the co-op offers two types of granules, Bug Blasters and Maxcide. Saunders said Maxcide, if applied correctly, will last all summer. Granular repellents are applied using a lawn spreader, followed by a good dowsing of water to activate them.

Roger Williams, agriculture extension educator for the Cherokee County Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, said keeping yards groomed is important to reducing pests.

“One of the best ways to keep fleas and ticks down is to keep the yard mowed short,” said Williams. “People also need to keep tree limbs and branches trimmed back, because shade increases the chances of having a problem.”

Owners of indoor pets can find flea infestations almost impossible to get rid of, as the insects can lay up to 2,000 eggs which hatch every two weeks, and nest in everything from carpets to sofas to beds.

Like Elliott, Saunders said it’s best to get in front of the problem.

“We have a full selection of shampoos, sprays, and medications to prevent the problem,” he said. “We also have a product that can be added to your pet’s drinking water that will keep the fleas off.”

Pet Pride No Flea water additive is not an insecticide or poison, rather it is a repellent fortified with a high concentration of multiple vitamins, minerals enzymes and amino acids that supplement a pet’s diet while providing a barrier against fleas and ticks. It works through the blood stream, causing the pet’s blood and skin to become offensive to fleas and ticks, but not humans.

In addition to fleas and ticks, skin allergies and rashes often manifest themselves more in the summer months. Elliott said these maladies are often more related to dogs.

“I can tell you now, most skin allergies in dogs are related to food or environment,” said Elliott. “But, for the most part, almost every dog I’ve seen with a skin allergy is allergic to mold. Food allergies aren’t just due to people feeding animals table scraps, either. Dogs are similar to people in that they can be allergic to all kinds of foods, including corn, which is in a lot of dog foods.”

According to K-web.com, if the skin irritation occurs year round, the animal may be allergic to mold or dust. Treatment may include  cool baths with colloidal oatmeal or medicated shampoos, such as Dermacool, or use of a cortisone spray, such as Cortispray, which can be used safely for short periods of time.

Controlling the pet population in Cherokee County is also a concern for many, and the Cherokee County Humane Society aids in reducing the number of unwanted animals through its spay and neuter clinics.

The clinics offer services at a low cost for low income families in the area, and the next event is slated for Sunday, April 10. All cats are eligible, as well as a limited number of female dogs weighing under 35 pounds. Pet owners who earn $25,000 and less annually qualify for the service, and the cost is based on a sliding scale according to income.

Proof of income is required, and appointments for the clinic must be made in advance. To participate, call (918) 457-7997, or email info@humanecherokeecou nty.org, and someone will contact you.

Gena Stretch, member of HSCC, said if making an appointment, it’s important to keep the engagement.

“We’ve been doing spay and neuter clinics for two to three years now, and we’ve helped a lot of pets and families,” said Stretch. “But the Humane Society is having trouble now with people not showing up for appointments. During the last clinic, they had 30 animals scheduled, and only eight people showed up. This is really sad, because the prices are so reduced. It’s sad for the animal, and unfortunate because Dr. Elliott is so good to the HSCC and people of Cherokee County, to volunteer his time.”