Drought-stricken areas of the country like Houston, Texas, are trying their best to protect their canines from the risk of ticks.

The weather in Houston, Texas, is usually mild during this time of year, but the city is experiencing one of its worst droughts in years and one problem that has stricken residents is a steady rise in the tick population, according to Click2Houston.com. Since a deep freeze never occurred to kill off most of these pesky insects, they have been a major problem for pet owners who expected not to deal with these bugs until early spring.

"I've been practicing here for over 30 years and we never used to see ticks. But I see ticks everyday," Dr. Ben Tharp of the Voss Animal Clinic, told the news source. "The reservoir for ticks is going to be the wildlife bringing them in."

Since ticks can be extremely aggressive during this time of year, those who live in areas where the weather has been mild should consider altering their tick prevention methods. If you live in a heavily-wooded area, treating your yard with Hartz UltraGuard Yard and Kennel Spray can help to kill off fleas and ticks in the areas where your canine spends the majority of his time. On the other hand, if you live in an apartment building, consider asking your landlord to spray around the grassy areas around your building to ensure that there aren't any potential parasites present when your furry friend does his business.

In addition to treating your yard, you should also stay vigilant with your monthly flea treatments. Hartz UltraGuard Pro Flea and Tick Drops for Dogs are fabulous options that are placed directly at the skin level between your canine's shoulder blades and down the length of his back to the tail. This will kill fleas, ticks and mosquitoes on contact for up to 30 days and give you peace of mind during any season.

Whether you live in a drought-stricken area of the country or simply dealing with the mild winter, ticks pose a risk to your companion and your entire family. By taking a few of these proactive steps, you can ensure that your pooch gets through the winter unscathed and ready to hit the ground running in the spring.