Of all pest control issues concerning homes and businesses throughout the Doylestown area, ticks are among the most serious. This is because of the serious, and potentially lethal, diseases that these pests spread.
In order to keep people healthy, it is crucial to raise awareness of how to avoid ticks. In fact, people can do a lot to protect themselves by routinely performing checks for ticks whenever they return from spending time outdoors. Forested areas or places that have relatively tall grass and foliage are likely places in which ticks may be encountered. Accordingly, it is sensible for adults to check themselves, their children and their pets before entering their homes after a day spent in the wilderness.
Of course, even families who are aware of ticks and use common prevention measures may fall victim to a tick infestation. These pests may move into their yard or infest a neighbor’s yard, causing widespread problems. When people are concerned about a tick infestation in their yard or on a neighboring property, then the wisest thing to do is to call an exterminator.
Using their knowledge and specialized equipment, the pest management professional can create a barrier on the property that keeps dangerous pests like American dog ticks, blacklegged ticks and groundhog ticks outside.
WHAT DO TICKS LOOK LIKE?
Ticks are small arachnids with eight legs, and appearance can vary between species. The American dog tick is a common species that has dark brown bodies. Females of the species may be identified by their off-white dorsal shield. The males tend to have a more mottled dorsal shield. American dog ticks are oval and flat and may range from five to 15 millimeters depending upon how recent their last meal was.
The female blacklegged tick, which frequently is referred to as a deer tick, is relatively easy to identify because of her orange-red body, which is decorated with a black dorsal shield. These hard ticks do not have any distinctive white markings when they are adults. Three millimeters is a common size before this species feeds. Approximately the same size as a sesame seed, the groundhog tick usually is a tan or reddish-tan color. The dorsal shield tends to be a slightly darker color. Because coloration can be similar to that of blacklegged ticks, it may be necessary to use a microscope to determine the species.
WHERE DO TICKS LIVE?
American dog ticks are most frequently encountered in areas east of the Rocky Mountains. They prefer a habitat that has virtually no tree cover. Accordingly, people may pick up this tick species when using trails or walkways or traversing a field.
Similarly, blacklegged ticks are found to the east of the Rockies, with particularly concentrated populations being found in the mid-Atlantic and northeastern part of the country. People are most likely to find this species in brushy or wooded areas where mammals like white-footed mice and deer are common. Blacklegged ticks also like these areas because they tend to be more humid than areas that do not have sufficient tree cover. It also is possible to find these ticks in yards, especially if a wooded area is nearby.
Also living primarily east of the Rockies, the groundhog tick is less selective about its habitat. It may be found in fields as well as forests.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY TICKS
Ticks are not responsible for causing damage to property or yards. However, people who suspect that their yard may have a tick infestation may feel inhibited about spending time outdoors.
WHAT DO TICKS EAT?
Ticks really only need blood meals to survive. Blood may be obtained from amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, including people. At each stage of the tick’s life, a new host is required so that the tick can move to the next life stage.
DO TICKS BITE?
Yes.
As with the bed bug, ticks feed on a blood diet obtained from human and non-human hosts which is needed for survival as it passes through its various life stages.
ARE TICKS AGGRESSIVE?
Ticks are aggressive in the sense that they try to stay attached to a host for as long as possible. The pest will naturally fall off once it is fully engorged, but this process can take days. People who discover that a tick is attached to them, a child or a pet can remove the tick by using a pair of tweezers.
DO TICKS CARRY DISEASE?
Yes.
Most people have learned to be extremely wary of ticks because of the many diseases that these pests transmit. The most well-known and common of these illnesses is Lyme disease. People who suspect that they have been bitten by a tick in the last several days and are exhibiting symptoms like achy muscles and joints, a fever, chills, headache and fatigue may be suffering from the early signs of Lyme disease. A large, target-shaped rash also may appear on the body. Untreated Lyme disease can become serious and involve life-threatening complications, making prompt treatment advisable.
Ticks also are known to transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever to people. Typical symptoms of this illness may involve a dangerously high fever as well as chills, nausea, vomiting and confusion. Within two to four days of infection, a rash may spread along the patient’s extremities.
Further, some ticks are vectors of Tularemia. Usually, the tick becomes infected with this illness after feeding on small mammals like squirrels, mice and rabbits. A person may have Tularemia if their symptoms involve tender lymph nodes, chills, fever and an ulcer at the site of the tick bite.
HOW TO DETECT TICKS
Signs of a tick presence include:
• Small insect-like creatures clinging to skin or the seams and folds in clothing • Ticks found attached to dogs or other pets • Inspect children for signs of ticks after spending time in wilderness areas
HOW TO PREVENT TICKS
To help protect against ticks, the following steps should be taken:
• Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts in forests and fields • Tuck pant hems into boots • Always use insect repellant • Do not enter a home after spending time outdoors without doing a tick check • Inspect children and pets for ticks before admitting them into the house after playing outside
HOW TO TREAT FOR TICKS
At Newtown Termite & Pest Control, we take tick problems seriously. That's why we employ a comprehensive system based on both treatment and prevention when providing tick control for your Doylestown home or business.
Our treatment process includes all of the areas where ticks ate known to hide, including cracks, crevices, around doors, windows, baseboards, carpeting, furniture, and pet areas.
We use only the finest professional-grade products available designed to kill ticks on contact as well as to provide long-lasting protection against future infestations.
Proper tick removal begins with a thorough inspection. If you suspect you may have a tick problem.
