Most people know about ticks- the tiny bugs that can cause Lyme disease. But many people don’t know that these are capable of causing other infections too. So, don’t let the small size and inconspicuous nature of the ticks fool you.
Tick control is a necessity and you should concentrate on the removal methods the moment you find out that there is a possible tick infestation in the house.
Are ticks a problem?
If there are frequent searches on tick control methods, then ticks must be a menace. And they, indeed, are. You should know more about them to understand why it is essential to control tick infestation as soon as possible.
#1. Ticks spread diseases
The life cycle of ticks usually lasts for 3 years. The eggs hatch to form the larva. And from this stage onwards, they will need a blood meal to complete each stage of development. Once adults, they are the carriers of different pathogens.
● Tick bites can cause several bacterial infections, including Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, rocky mountain spotted fever, tick-associate rashes, and other such diseases.
● As they suck the blood from the host, the infection spreads through their saliva.
Thus, you have to reduce tick populations for the greater good of humans and animals.
#2. Carrier of Lyme disease
Borrelia burgdorferi is the causative agent of lyme disease. Sometimes, Borrelia mayonii can also be the causative agent. It occurs in humans through a tick bite.
The standard symptoms include
● Headache
● Fatigue
● High fever
● Characteristic skin rash, commonly called erythema migrans.
Deer ticks that carry the infection of Borrelia burgdorferi can cause Lyme disease. And it can affect dogs, humans, and cats. You may fail to notice the bite completely. But if you notice a small black dot on your skin, don’t forget to remove it within 48 hours as a safety measure.
When ticks bite humans, you may develop some rashes. Unless you are serious about the symptoms, Lyme disease can affect you seriously.
#3. Ticks harm pets
Ticks can be a threat to dogs. There are special variants of the ticks that rarely bite humans; adult brown dogs are the targets of these ticks. Without timely tick control, you may see your dog suffer from canine ehrlichiosis and bacterial infections.
Tick bites can lead to babesiosis too. The symptoms of the disease in dogs include weight loss, depression, fever, lameness, and lethargy. You should immediately contact the vet if you notice such symptoms.
#4. American dog ticks
Wood ticks are responsible for feeding on dogs, people, and other animals to spread infectious diseases. The adult ticks appear as reddish-brown bugs of a half-inch in length. The geographical range of these ticks extends to the east of the Rocky Mountains.
Hence the disease that they cause is termed rocky mountain spotted fever. The bacteria Rickettsia rickettsia is responsible for causing the rocky mountain spotted fever.
● The symptoms include fever, headache, swelling around the eyes, nausea, and vomiting.
● After a couple of days of the onset of the fever, there can be spotty rashes on the ankles and wrists of humans.
Unless you control the tick activity, you will always be prone to the risk of developing the disease.
Combatting the ticks
It’s not an easy task to combat the ticks. You need to avoid tick bites, concentrate on the different means of tick prevention, and discuss the measures for tick control. The process is not a very straightforward one.
So, it’s the best idea to lean further about the prevention and control method.
Prevention of tick bites
By far, the most effective solution to handle these bugs is to prevent tick bites. Tick exposure can happen all through the year. So, you need to gather basic information about the type of tick common in the area and whether it can cause Lyme disease.
The information is important because one of the most important reasons for tick prevention is to fight against Lyme disease.
Knowledge will help
If you know the areas where the tick population can grow, avoid such areas. The wooded areas, where you find a lot of grass and bushes, can be the breeding ground for the ticks.
For effective tick control, you should not take your dogs or other pets for a walk in such areas. You may unknowingly bring home the ticks.
● Treatment of clothes and gears
Use permethrin of 0.5% strength for treating the clothes and gear, especially after the hikes. Permethrin is an accurate tool for implementing tick prevention. You can treat your boots, clothes, and even camping materials using this chemical to kill the bugs.
Alternatively, you can buy clothing and gear that already has got the treatment of permethrin.
● Using insect repellants
If you live in wooded areas, you have to apply more stringent methods for tick prevention. One such method is the application of insect repellants that have the Environmental Protection Agency‘s certification.
EPA-certified tick pesticides contain DEET. IR 3535, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), 2- undecanoate, and para-menthane-diol (PMD). You can get some online help to find out which pesticide will be more effective in tick control.
● Avoid direct contacts
It’s possible to avoid tick bites if you can avoid the wood piles collected at some place or the bushy areas. Why don’t you always walk o the central trails? This way, you can play your part in tick prevention.
Indoor treatments
The first thing that you have to do after returning from the walk is o check the clothing for ticks. If you see any, remove them immediately.
Now, tumble dry your clothes for at least 10 minutes; the heat will kill the ticks. And if the clothes are damp, you will need some more time.
● Examine the pets
If you are worried about tick control, then you should also thoroughly check the pets. Careful examination of the pet is essential to know whether there is any tick attachment to the body.
● Shower soon
Don’t waste time before taking a shower. Tick problems will continue to bother you if you don’t remain careful. A warm shower will reduce the risks of developing Lyme disease.
● Check the body parts
If you have returned from someplace where tick manifestation was considerable, you need to check your entire body and the things you were carrying. Why don’t you hold the full-length mirror or hand-help mirrors for the viewing of individual parts of the body? The common places of hide-outs include
● Back of your knees
● In and around the ears
● Inside your belly button
● Under the arms
● In and around the hair,
● Around the waist
If you can follow these measures, tick prevention won’t be difficult after all.
Controlling the spread
As you know that tick control is more complex than other modes of the process, like mosquito control, and you need to find the best service providers for the purpose.
Tick problems will continue to bother you unless you find a reliable company for tick removal. Emerald Tree and Shrub Care is right now the most dependable service provider for tick removal. We have experienced staff who have knowledge about tick prevention and tick control, along with extensive practical experience. So, get the help of Emerald Tree and Shrub Care Company if you or your pets have been exposed to the ticks.
