Ticks
Ticks are nasty, parasitic arachnids that rely on the blood of larger creatures to sustain themselves. This included wild animals, livestock, pets, and even humans. You can recognize ticks by their flat, oval-shaped bodies that balloon after they’ve fed on a host. They are commonly grey, black, or reddish-brown in color.
Are ticks dangerous?
Ticks are extremely dangerous because of the various diseases they carry and transmit. The most well-known of these is Lyme disease but also includes anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and tularemia. If you develop symptoms after a tick bite or have concerns about potential illness, seek medical advice from a healthcare professional.
Why do I have a tick problem?
Ticks are clumsy and slow-moving. They can’t fly or jump, but instead hitch rides on their hosts. They are frequently introduced onto properties by wild animals, especially deer and rodents. However, you or your pet may also inadvertently bring these pests home after a hike in the woods or a trip to the park.
Where will I find ticks?
Ticks are always either attached to a host or searching for a new one. They prefer to hide in damp, dark areas such as trees, tall grass, and bushes. If you find a tick inside your home, they hitched a ride on you or someone you live with. Thankfully, most species can’t breed indoors and don’t pose a significant infestation risk.
How can I prevent a ticks infestation?
- Wear appropriate clothing: When venturing into tick-prone areas, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Tuck your pants into your socks or boots, and consider using tick-repellent clothing treated with permethrin.
- Use tick repellent: Apply EPA-approved insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin. Follow the instructions carefully and reapply as directed.
- Perform tick checks: After spending time outdoors, conduct thorough tick checks on yourself, your family members, and pets. Pay attention to hard-to-see areas like the scalp, behind the ears, underarms, and groin area.
- Protect pets: Use tick preventatives recommended by your veterinarian for your pets. Regularly check your pets for ticks and remove any you find promptly.
- Treat clothing and gear: If you’ve been in tick-prone areas, toss your clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any ticks that may be attached. Inspect and treat camping gear, backpacks, and outdoor equipment as well.
- Create a tick-safe yard: Maintain your yard by keeping the grass mowed short, removing leaf litter, and clearing brush or woodpiles where ticks may reside. Create a barrier between wooded areas and your yard using gravel or wood chips.
- Install physical barriers: Consider using fencing or other physical barriers to prevent wildlife, such as deer, from entering your property.
Create a tick-resistant landscape: Consider planting vegetation that naturally repels ticks, such as lavender, rosemary, and marigolds. You can also create a buffer zone by keeping a cleared area between your yard and wooded or overgrown areas.
How do I get rid of ticks?
Ticks are a dangerous pest to have lurking around your property. If you live near a wooded area or frequently see wildlife in your yard, consider calling Northeast Exterminating. We can provide effective treatment options for your home or office and offer advice tailored to your situation. Remember, when it comes to ticks, prevention is the best protection.
We are experts in the field of pest control and stake our reputation on professional service. All pests are not equal in the sense that they all require a special means of control, and select pesticide to be applied. A member of our team will discuss with you the best possible solution for your specific problem to ensure you get the optimum result quickly.
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