They tend to be out when it's cooler, so morning and evening. The times you want to be walking dogs in the summer. We very, very rarely get them on our land, because we have no water, but it certainly affects us taking them to the river in the summer, when we'd be doing so out of the main heat of the day. The couple of times we've seen them around our house, it's been when it's rained overnight or the previous day. Luckily, that doesn't happen much in the summer. Yes, they can carry leishmaniasis, which is scary, for us as well as the dogs! I've read it's actually very rare for dogs to be affected by the disease even if bitten by an infected fly, but the risk is there, and it's a horrible, horrible illness. I need to read up more on the vaccine. Even if they have that, I still need to find a better solution to stop Willow being bitten, but I'm not sure if the collar is that, either. My sister's cocker spaniel was terribly bitten by sand flies and mosquitoes whilst wearing a new, well-fitted Scalibor collar.
I never heard anything about cumin oil, but i do have a friend that swears by Tea Tree Oil. But you have to take care the dog doesn't lick it. What i did do when she was very young i used to mix a teaspoon of tea tree oil in baby shampoo to bath here. seemed to act as a deterrent before she was old enough for the chemical stuff.
Update. I've been using the sereto collar for a while now. Had her in the woods in the park running in leaves etc. So far it's working and no adverse reactions.
I've bought the Scalibor collar, but haven't put it on her yet. But it's warm and sunny and the ticks are starting up.
I just though I post a quick update here. The Seresto collar is reaching the end of its time. Need to get a new one. We have had a major problem with tics this season in Pennsylvania, have never seen it this bad. The collar must be working because while all the people have picked them up she seems to have been unaffected. I did add Nexgard to her regimen because it is a chewable and the vet suggested it and it has had no adverse effects on her. I kept using the collar as well, cause the whole bug thing (fleas and tics) makes me a little crazy and I want to avoid it if i can at all. Hope this helps.
I'd check with your vet re using nexguard and the collar. You might be overdosing her by using two flea preventatives. These are poisons, which should be used according to the recommended dose for your dog's weight.
