Heat wreaking havoc on lawns, animals

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Two raccoons in Pflugerville sought refuge in the shade of a tree this weekend, but relief from the sweltering sun doesn't seem to be in sight.

KXAN viewer Lee Van Burkelo sent in a photo of two raccoons in his pecan tree he said his wife spotted while watering Friday.

“Probably the hot weather drove them out of their regular hiding place, it was 104 at our house this afternoon,” Burkelo said Saturday

Saturday temperatures in Austin are expected to top out at 101 degrees with a 20 percent chance of showers, according to KXAN Meteorologist Rhonda Lee.

If you have pets of your own , experts say be aware of serious problems triple-digit days can cause.

The combination of heat and no rain can be a breeding ground for fleas. The blood-sucking insects are desperate for food, and pets can make the perfect meal.

"Dryness is going to drive them to more central points," said Brenda Elrod, environmental health expert. "It's going to drive the animals to water sources, so squirrels in your backyard, dogs in your backyard, they're going to be looking at those fellas to feed off of."

Fleas can bite an animal up to 200 to 300 times a day, and it doesn't take much for them to move inside the house. Veterinarians said killing them at the source is key.

Local vets also said there is a point when it is too hot to take your pets outside.

"I really wouldn't go out if it was in the upper 90s," said Dr. Jennifer Renner with the AM/PM Animal Hospital in South Austin. "I would do it either early morning when the sun is just coming up or late evening when the sun is just going down. Middle of the day is definitely really difficult for the pet."

Dogs do not sweat and the only way they cool down is by panting.

Renner said so far this year, three dogs have already come in to the animal hospital suffering from heat stroke. Two of them did not survive.

Trouble signs to look for:

• lagging behind when walking
• excessive panting
• a bright red tongue
 

DROUGHT CONDITIONS AND LAWNS

Trace amounts of rain fell in areas of Central Texas early Saturday morning but not enough to take us out of extreme drought conditions.

The remainder of this week will continue to see heat levels hovering between 99 and 100 degrees through Friday.

The above-normal temperatures, combined with record lack of rainfall in Austin, are creating extreme stress on lawns, trees and shrubs.

Most of Texas is being hard hit with extreme drought conditions. Local water restrictions and a record dry spell are having detrimental effects on plants with shallow roots.

“Signs of typical wear and tear on yards this time of year are amplified when lawns are stressed,” said Ed Solon, Region Technical Manager for TrueGreen of Texas and Oklahom. “Brown spots on lawns may not always be from lack of water or nutrients, but instead from insects that can mimic drought damage on select grass types. Homeowners need to have a clear understanding of the source of the yard problem to effectively resolve.”

Lawncare tips during drought conditions:

Irrigation Efficiency: Ensure sprinkler heads and related water lines are working properly and that the irrigation system provides sufficient coverage. Low water pressure will affect coverage.

Water Restrictions Awareness:Become familiar with any local watering restrictions related to yards. Light watering too often is not as effective as a slow, thorough watering (about one inch) once or twice a week, optimally in the early morning. To ensure uniform coverage, consider placing a few empty one-inch deep food cans in the sprinkler pattern to measure the amount of water collected after each watering cycle. Adjust watering times and cycles if needed to provide for one inch of water.

Pest Problems: Inspect drought-sensitive plants and grasses. Although mature trees and many southern grasses will tolerate drought, others may not. Undiagnosed infestation of lawn insects and build up of mites and insects on shrubs can also enhance the risk of plants’ susceptibility to further decline from drought conditions. Ask a lawn care professional to assist in diagnosing plants for drought versus insect damage.

Feed: Lawns, trees and shrubs require proper nutrition to encourage healthy growth and the ability to recover from drought damage. Use a trained professional company, such as TruGreen, that offers customized solutions to lawn and landscape problems based on the specific needs of the homeowner’s region.

Mowing Schedule: Mow grass as needed and not as a scheduled weekly chore. Avoid mowing in the heat of day or if the lawn is extremely dry to allow the lawn to bounce back during the cooler temperatures of night. To help promote moisture retention and to prevent shock, disease and insects, do not cut more than one-third of the grass leaf blade and mow at the highest recommended height for your grass type.

Mulch: Return grass clippings back to the soil for added lawn nutrients. Apply three inches of organic mulch to base of shrubs and trees to help