We’re approaching the time of year where we can expect to see fleas and pests cropping up in our outdoor spaces a lot more frequently. We had a chat with an industry professional who advises us on some great ways to keep them at bay.
Irritatingly, fleas and pest will be posing as a threat year-round. However, this doesn’t mean that they won’t gain an edge and begin to thrive when introduced to warmer weather. The spring and summer months in the UK are when you’ll find that fleas and ticks are the most active, essentially running from March through to November.
Family-owned Cosmos Corporation are the manufacturers of various established health and wellness brands including TropiClean, a brand well known for its dental, grooming and flea and tick ranges all offering solutions containing active ingredients which are 100% natural!* Erica Leisse, Brand Manager at TropiClean Natural, provides us with an insight into how ticks and fleas can be transmitted: “While ticks are most likely picked up by pets in grassy, wooded areas outside, flea infestations can arise inside the home, making both indoor and outdoor prevention critical to protecting pets.”
Naturally, this is a cause for concern for grooming salon owners, seeing as nobody in their right mind would take their canine companion to a salon infested with fleas! Erica explains: “Groomers shudder at the thought of pests in their salon. An infestation could result in closed doors for a period of time, so it’s critical that groomers stay on top of pest prevention.
“To prepare, groomers should make it a practice to remind customers before flea and tick season starts that they need to begin treatments on their pets. By being proactive, groomers work to protect themselves and look out for the well-being of their four-legged clients. If a pet does come in with fleas or ticks, there are several different products (shampoos, coat sprays, bite relief sprays) they can use to provide some relief to the pet during the appointment.”
This is something that you should not only be recommending to your clientele, but also understanding that there is an opportunity to market products to them, bringing in some revenue for your business whilst helping them look after their furry friends.
Free from Pyrethrin, Permethrin and Fipronil, TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick products offer a safe alternative to synthetic pesticide treatments, where instead of synthetic ingredients, a combination of natural oils including clove, lemongrass, cinnamon and cedarwood are used to combat fleas & ticks. “TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick shampoos and sprays are wonderful options for pet parents looking for natural* flea & tick treatments,” Erica continues, “Specifically, TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Maximum Strength Shampoo can be used in the salon and at-home, as it’s offered in a pet parent-friendly retail size. For pets who are suffering from painful bites, TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Bite Relief Spray provides soothing relief when directly applied to the pet’s skin and coat.”
Understanding these bonuses of marketing to your clients and being able to explain how it’s beneficial for them at home as well as bringing a dog in to a salon, is another way to add a little profit to your business in these coming months.
This, however, goes hand-in-hand with understanding that you also need to have clients visiting in order to sell to them. Be sure to advertise on your social media platforms, as well as by using word of mouth, to ensure that you’re maximising potential to bring in more footfall to your grooming salon.
Erica explains her thoughts: “Pests are certainly a nuisance to groomers, but with the extra attention from pet parents on their pet’s skin and coats during flea and tick season, it could mean increased foot traffic to pet salons. Warmer weather also means more time outside and more baths – which is always good news for groomers!”
Synthetic flea and tick products certainly get the job done when it comes to killing pest. However, it’s important to note that one of your biggest concerns is, and always should be, the health and safety of the dogs coming in for a visit. Erica also mentions that it’s worth noting that synthetic products contain harmful chemicals that can cause skin irritations, gastrointestinal disease, nervous system issues, organ failure, and even fatal complications in some pets. In addition to the risks, some synthetic products can also cause harm to adults and children if ingested.
“TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick products are safe and effective for use on both pets and the home. In addition to using natural products, pet parents should get in the habit of regularly checking their pets for fleas and ticks. Signs of a flea infestation on your pet could include excessive scratching, hair loss, irritated skin, pale gums, and general discomfort.” Erica finishes.
Keep an eye out on your clients’ pets, inform them appropriately and market the correct products to them when given the chance. Animal care is of the utmost importance, so taking into consideration the upcoming summer months is crucial.
Follow @tropicleanpet_uk (Instagram), @tropiclean (Twitter) and search TropiClean.
*Made with natural active and naturally derived ingredients