Reports of tick-borne illnesses are on the rise. Scientists are still trying to pin down the factors that are responsible for this problem.
The black-legged tick, which is responsible for spreading Lyme disease, is becoming more prevalent than ever before, and other species like the American dog tick and the groundhog tick are not far behind. This makes it more critical than ever before for Warminster area residents to be vigilant about spotting ticks and for them to take steps to control these pests when their presence is detected.
With an inspection performed by a pest management professional, it is possible to determine the extent of a tick infestation. A trained technician may make recommendations that will make the property less welcoming to ticks while also treating the existing problem.
WHAT DO TICKS LOOK LIKE?
The American dog tick, which also may be called a wood tick, is mainly a problem east of the Rocky Mountains in the U.S. It most commonly infests dogs, though it may be found on humans as well. Like other arachnids, this is an eight-legged pest. It has a brown to reddish-brown coloration that may feature gray or silver marks on the dorsal shield. A female who has not fed in a while may be about five millimeters long. After a meal, the same female may measure as much as 15 millimeters.
Blacklegged ticks, which sometimes are referred to as deer ticks, tend to be smaller than American dog ticks. Nonetheless, they prefer larger hosts like deer or people. Before a blood meal, females average about three millimeters long. Neither males nor females have a hard shell, and their bodies are oval-shaped and flat. Females appear orange-brown except for the darker legs, shield and mouth parts. Feeding makes the female's abdomen look darker.
The lone star tick is found throughout most of the eastern U.S. They are oval-shaped, have long mouthparts and eight legs. When compared to the American dog tick, they are a similar size. Females of the species have a white or silver spot on the center of their backs while males have white spots or streaks on the top of their bodies. Otherwise, they tend to be a reddish-brown color.
WHERE DO TICKS LIVE?
Ticks are widely distributed across the eastern United States. Most frequently, people encounter them when they go into areas that are forested or walk across meadows and other places where lush, tall vegetation is prominent.
Ticks generally have four life stages. For three of these stages, they must have blood meals to survive. If a meal cannot be obtained at one of these stages, then the tick dies.
Ticks are accordingly adapted to successfully locate a host. Scientists believe that this is accomplished by detecting the body and breath odors of mammals. Additionally, these pests can sense vibrations, moisture and body heat. This enables them to place themselves along well-worn paths and trails. Because these arachnids cannot jump or fly, they take a "questing" position in which they cling on to grass, leaves or other foliage with the third and fourth pairs of legs. The first pair of legs is stretched out so that they can catch a host. The host brushes by the questing tick, where it climbs aboard.
The tick will try to stay attached to the host for several days to get a full feeding.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY TICKS
Ticks are not destructive like some pests are. Still, many of them spread potentially life-threatening diseases, which means that they are a primary health concern for many people.
WHAT DO TICKS EAT?
Ticks feed on the blood of mammals. Each species shows preferences for different hosts, with some more often feeding from small mammals while others prefer larger animals like deer, moose, horses, cows and humans.
ARE TICKS AGGRESSIVE?
Ticks generally do not attack or bite people for reasons of self-defense. Instead, they bite only in order to feed. Once attached, it can be incredibly difficult to detach them.
This is because the female tick is equipped with two sets of hooks, each of which looks like a tiny hand. Using her hook-like fingers, she pries the host's skin apart and pushes in the mouth part known as the hypostome. The hypostome is stubby but also has hooks at the end so that it can securely embed itself into the host's tissue.
Compounds in tick saliva cause blood to pool beneath the skin's surface. Once engorged, the tick automatically falls off, but most people prefer to remove them upon discovery. All that is required is a pair of tweezers. Simply get the tweezers as close to the skin's surface as possible, squeeze and pull straight up.
DO TICKS CARRY DISEASE?
Yes.
This is the main reason why tick control is essential. American dog ticks spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. They also may cause canine tick paralysis. The lone star tick transmits illnesses like tularemia, theileriosis, rickettsiosis and ehrlichiosis.
Black legged ticks are particularly feared because in addition to babesiosis and ehrlichiosis, these pests spread Lyme disease. Spring, summer and fall are the most common seasons during which Lyme disease is likely to be spread. The earliest symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, aches in the joints and muscles, fatigue, fever, headache and chills.
One of the most prominent early signs of Lyme disease is the EM rash, which occurs in most infected people. It usually appears approximately three days to one month after the bite, and it can spread over time until it is more than 12 inches across. It may have a target or bulls-eye appearance, but this is not always the case. If Lyme disease is not treated, then other symptoms may ensue. These can include stiffness in the neck, swollen knees, heart palpitations, inflammation of the brain and facial palsy. It may prove fatal if not promptly treated.
HOW TO DETECT TICKS
Indications of a tick problem include:
• Unexplained symptoms like fever, chills and headache • Ticks found clinging to children or pets • Finding ticks in clothing or attached to bags or other articles used outdoors
HOW TO PREVENT TICKS
To help protect against ticks the following steps should be taken:
• -Perform a thorough tick check before coming indoors after spending time in nature • When hiking, wear closed toe shoes and cover arms and legs • Tuck pant legs into socks or boots • Spray an insecticide on clothing and gear • Inspect dogs for ticks when coming back from walks • Always wash clothing and take a shower when returning from outdoor adventures
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 Warminster 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.
