In Feasterville, some of the most common and dreaded pests are ticks. Species such as ground hog ticks, black legged ticks and American dog ticks are incredibly prevalent throughout the region, and people may encounter ticks whenever they spend time in the outdoors during the summer.
Despite the presence of such pests, it is not a good idea to avoid outdoor recreation that the entire family enjoys. Instead, it is sensible to take precautions against picking up ticks and taking them back to civilization.
Most people know that it makes sense to use insect repellent when they spend considerable time outside. Wearing long pants and shirts with long sleeves is another well-known and wise precaution. If the hems of long pants also are tucked into socks or the tops of boots, so much the better. However, people frequently neglect to perform a comprehensive tick check before they get back in the car and head home. This means that they, or their children and pets, may be bringing ticks back to the places where they live and work.
Introducing even one or two ticks to an area that does not currently have an infestation is the beginning of an ongoing problem. Ticks are capable of relatively rapid reproduction, and they can be quite hard to kill, especially if people rely on the remedies that are available at the local hardware store or garden center.
What is the best thing to do when people suspect that they have a tick problem? Usually, the recommended method is to contact a pest management company. These knowledgeable and well-trained professionals have access to specialized products that help to protect yards, landscapes, residences and commercial buildings from the dangers that are posed by ticks.
WHAT DO TICKS LOOK LIKE?
Ground hog ticks are reddish-brown or tan. Even at full size, these pests are approximately the same size as a sesame seed. Males and females do not look alike as the female has a darker dorsal shield.
The black legged tick, which also is commonly called the deer tick, is tiny and has a body that has a combination of brown and orange hues. The legs are a darker color. While the black legged tick becomes inflated with a meal, it is flat and oval shaped when it has not fed for a while.
Before she has a meal, the female American dog tick is only five millimeters long. A meal causes her to inflate to 15 millimeters. The reddish-brown bodies of American dog ticks have markings on the dorsal shield in gray or silver.
WHERE DO TICKS LIVE?
Wherever heavy, dense foliage is found, ticks are bound to be hiding. People who visit a lake or a river probably also will find plenty of habitat that is perfect for ticks. Even walking through a field or meadow will put people in danger of running into these pests. In fact, ticks are known to gather along well-worn paths and trails because they know this habitat is likely to have people or animals coming through on a regular basis.
With wings or the ability to jump, ticks have only one way to reliably attach themselves to a host. Ticks cling to vegetation with their hind legs with the front legs held out in a "questing" position. Any animal or person that happens by may be clung to by the questing tick. Using their well-honed abilities to sense things like breath, moisture, vibrations and odor, ticks get plenty of warning when a mammal is coming along the trail. Any animal or person that merely brushes against the spot where the tick is questing may become a host. Until the pest is full or is removed from the host with tweezers, it will remain attached.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY TICKS
Ticks frequently are encountered inside homes and businesses, especially those in which people or pets spend a great deal of time outdoors. The good news is that ticks do not cause structural damage to buildings. Still, because they can make people and pets ill, it is never wise to allow a tick infestation to persist.
WHAT DO TICKS EAT?
Ticks do not have a varied appetite as they only require blood to live. Virtually any animal with warm blood will meet their needs, including people and pets.
ARE TICKS AGGRESSIVE?
Ticks require blood meals as this is their only source of nutrition. When they are not attached to a host, they are virtually always looking for one. Once attached, they do not let go until their hunger is completely satisfied. Reproduction is rapid, which means that successive generations are being produced all the time. Accordingly, ticks absolutely are an aggressive species because they will not stop seeking blood meals until the infestation is eliminated.
DO TICKS CARRY DISEASE?
Several illnesses that routinely are carried by ticks in Feasterville can be transmitted to people. Some of these diseases are potentially deadly, which makes prompt medical attention imperative whenever unusual symptoms appear in the midst of a tick infestation.
Lyme disease may be the most well-known disease that is spread by black legged ticks. Aches, rashes, fevers, chills, swollen lymph nodes and fatigue are the most common symptoms. However, people can experience debilitating additional symptoms if their condition is not promptly treated.
Ground hog ticks are recognized vectors of Powassan virus. Potentially lethal, Powassan virus has initial symptoms such as fever, vomiting, problems with coordination, overall weakness, difficulty speaking and seizures.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever probably is the most recognizable and common threat posed by American dog ticks. People who begin experiencing nausea, vomiting, headaches, appetite loss, muscle soreness and stomach pain may be suffering from this illness. Other people may be diagnosed with tularemia after an encounter with an American dog tick. This illness involves swollen tonsils, ulcers in the mouth, diarrhea and vomiting.
HOW TO DETECT TICKS
These signs indicate the presence of ticks:
• Unusual physical symptoms that may be caused by a tick-borne illness • Ticks are discovered feeding on people or their children and pets • Ticks hiding somewhere in clothing or gear after time spent outdoors
HOW TO PREVENT TICKS
To help protect against ticks the following precautions should be taken:
• Measures such as using insect repellent and wearing long pants when outdoors • Performing tick checks before returning home • Checking all gear used outdoors before bringing it home • Washing all clothes that were worn in potentially tick-infested areas • Immediately taking baths or showers upon returning from hiking, camping and other outdoor recreation
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 Feasterville 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, call Newtown today to schedule a free inspection.
