July at a Glance
Your OC Poop Scoop Update for July
Warmer weather means faster waste breakdown, more flies, and more urgency in the yard. Here’s what’s on tap this month — from dog-friendly events to yard care tips to keep your OC backyard clean and safe all summer long.
Dog Events
📅 July Dog Events & Pet Happenings in OC
Here’s where to take your pup around Orange County this month.
Get out and explore — here's what's happening around Orange County this month.
Huntington Dog Beach Meetup
Ongoing · Huntington Beach · OC’s only official off-leash dog beach — a local favorite year-round — rules & hours at dogbeach.org
29th Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals
Sat, July 11 · Los Alamitos Race Course · 100+ dachshunds race for charity — details at losalamitos.com/wienernationals
OC Animal Care Vaccine Clinic
Sun, July 12, 8:30–10:30am · 1630 Victory Rd, Tustin · Low-cost pet vaccines — schedule at ocpetinfo.com/eventsKey OC Dog Parks & Off-Leash Areas
Huntington Dog Beach · Costa Mesa Bark Park · Newport Beach Dog Park · Irvine Central Bark · Laguna Beach Dog Park · Lake Forest Dog Park — full directory at ocgov.com/services/animal-care/pet-friendly-parks
Business of the Month
🏪 Meet Bark Collective — Boarding, Daycare & Training for OC Dogs
Bark Collective is a women-owned dog care company in Costa Mesa, founded by Jillian Parks in 2012. They’ve built a 4.9-star reputation (100+ reviews) offering boarding, daycare, grooming, training, and pack-walk adventures out of their space on W 16th Street. Daycare dogs get real trail hikes and pack walks, not just kennel time, plus a turf-covered outdoor yard to run around in. Open 7 days a week, 7am–7pm.
Know a great local business that OC pet owners should hear about? We’d love to feature them next month.
🌡️ Beat the Heat: Summer Safety Reminders
Hot days call for extra care — keep your pup cool, hydrated, and safe.
Walk dogs early morning or evening — hot pavement can burn paw pads
Never leave your dog in a parked car, even briefly — interior temps spike fast
Keep fresh water available in the yard at all times during heat waves
Use the 7-second rule: press the back of your hand to the pavement — if you can’t hold it there for 7 seconds, it’s too hot for paws
Know the early signs of heatstroke: heavy panting, drooling, bright red or pale gums, wobbliness, or vomiting. Cool your dog gradually with cool (not ice-cold) water on the belly and paws, then get to a vet right away
Flat-faced breeds like Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers overheat much faster than other dogs and need extra shade and shorter walks
Check your dog’s paws, ears, and nose for foxtails after every walk — these barbed grass seeds are common in OC through summer and can burrow into skin, sometimes requiring vet removal
Rattlesnakes are more active on OC foothill trails in warmer months — keep dogs leashed and stick to clear, open paths
Skip lakes, ponds, and slow-moving water — warm, stagnant water can harbor blue-green algae, which is toxic to dogs even in small amounts
🦟 Fly Control Matters More in Summer
Warmer temps mean pet waste attracts flies fast — sometimes within hours. Regular removal is one of the simplest ways to keep your yard fly-free all summer.
Why Flies Are More Than Just Annoying
Flies aren’t just a nuisance to swat away — they’re a real hygiene concern. Filth flies that breed in pet waste can pick up bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella and carry it to patio furniture, kids’ toys, and anywhere else they land. They also reproduce fast: eggs laid in waste can develop into new adult flies in as little as a week during summer heat, so a small problem can multiply quickly if waste is left too long.
Quick Tips to Keep Flies at Bay
• Scoop daily, not weekly — in summer heat, flies can find and lay eggs in waste within hours
• Rinse the area after scooping — leftover residue attracts flies almost as much as the waste itself
• Keep trash and waste bins tightly sealed and away from doors and windows
• Keep grass trimmed short — flies favor shaded, moist ground near vegetation
• Dump standing water — bird baths and saucers under potted plants are breeding grounds too
DIY Ways to Cut Down the Fly Population
• Apple cider vinegar trap: fill a jar with ACV and a drop of dish soap, cover with plastic wrap, poke a few small holes — flies get in but can’t get out
• Food-grade diatomaceous earth: sprinkled around waste-prone areas, it helps control larvae without harsh chemicals — keep it away from areas your dog digs or eats from
• Hang fly bait traps well away from patios and pet play areas, since the bait itself can attract flies before it catches them
• A box fan on the patio does double duty — flies are weak fliers and tend to avoid moving air
Pet-Safe Plants That Repel Flies
Basil — flies dislike it, and it’s safe for dogs and cats even if nibbled
Rosemary — repels flies and mosquitoes, and it’s non-toxic to both dogs and cats
Lemon Balm — its citrusy scent repels mosquitoes, and it’s non-toxic to both dogs and cats
As always, check with your vet before introducing a new plant if your dog or cat tends tochew on greenery.
Rosemary and basil don't just smell great — they help keep flies away, and they're safe for dogs and cats.
A clean yard is the first line of defense against summer flies.
Yard Cleanup
💩 Yard Cleanup: Warmer Weather, More Urgent
OC Poop Scoop service includes:
✓ Full yard pet waste removal
✓ Secure gate checks every visit
✓ Consistent weekly scheduling
✓ Optional deodorizer add-on
✓ Photo confirmation on request
✓ No contracts — cancel anytime
Need just a one-time cleanup instead? Book it here: https://www.ocpoopscoop.com/products/one-time-dog-poop-cleanup-orange-county
🛒 OC Poop Scoop Picks
A few reader-favorite products for keeping your pup cool, comfortable, and your yard fresh this summer.
Green Pet Cool Pet Pad
Gel cooling mat, no water or electricity needed — shop it: amzn.to/4gxkxKoArf Pets Dog Cooling Mat
~3 hours of cooling comfort, budget-friendly — shop it: amzn.to/4vs8WQySimple Green Outdoor Odor Eliminator for Pets
Enzyme-based, safe for lawns & patios — shop it: amzn.to/4piewU7Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator
Orange-oil based, biodegradable — shop it: amzn.to/3Tu4ByLMalsiPree Portable Dog Water Bottle
One-handed dispense, great for beach & walk days — shop it: amzn.to/4ftOh9SSpringer Flip Dog Water Bottle
Foldable silicone bowl, leak-proof, BPA-free — shop it: amzn.to/4faVCtN
As an Amazon Associate, OC Poop Scoop earns from qualifying purchases.
That’s a wrap for July.
Thanks for reading — see you next month! 🧡
The OC Poop Scoop Team
(714) 831-5855 · [email protected]
Mon–Fri 7:30am–6pm · Sat 7:30am–3pm
Veteran-Owned & Family-Run · Serving Irvine, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach & surrounding OC
P.S.
New here? Forward this to a friend whose yard could use some love.
Brandon Madalone