Ticks are a common type of pest found in the Mobile region. Ticks are arachnids that share some similarities with spiders and scorpions. Ticks are often categorized as either hard ticks or soft ticks based on the texture of their bodies. There is a misconception that only those with pets will endure a tick infestation; yet, this is untrue.
How to keep ticks out of your house? While some viable prevention methods are helpful, completely eliminating ticks from a home is often challenging and commonly requires professional treatment. A licensed Mobile pest control company knows how to deal with ticks that are living in your home and will make recommendations regarding the best ways of preventing subsequent tick intrusions.
The Life Cycle Of Ticks: A Comprehensive Overview
In the U.S., there are approximately 200 various types of ticks. Unable to fly or jump, ticks rely on waiting for a passing host to latch onto—typically in tall grasses or weeds. This process of catching a passing host is often referred to as questing.
Ticks progress through four distinct phases as an egg, larvae, and nymph before reaching adulthood. After emerging from eggs, ticks must consume a blood meal in each phase to ensure survival. While some developing ticks remain with the same host through multiple stages, others will identify new hosts.
Some ticks have a life span of roughly two or three years; however, variances exist between species based on environmental factors. Similar to mosquitoes and bed bugs, ticks can detect the bodily odors, heat, motions, and other emissions produced by potential hosts.
What do ticks do for the environment? Ticks benefit the ecosystem primarily as a food source for birds, reptiles, and other creatures.
Top Tick-Borne Diseases: Symptoms, Treatment, And Prevention
How dangerous are ticks? Ticks are associated with Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and several other harmful diseases.
Ticks spread pathogens when they feed on a host. After piercing the skin, ticks use a tube-like appendage for extracting blood. In most cases, the tick’s saliva has a dulling or numbing effect; thus, the host often will not feel the tick.
Does every tick carry Lyme disease? According to data from Johns Hopkins Medicine, not all types of ticks carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Depending on many different factors, as little as 1% of the ticks in a region may be infected with this bacterium in a given region, but usually, the rate is higher. In the U.S., roughly 300,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported annually.
What can you put on tick bites to help minimize the symptoms? Wash the area of the skin thoroughly with soap and water, alcohol, or iodine. Most people bitten by ticks experience rather mild symptoms.
Tick Prevention: Remedy Factors That Attract Ticks To Your Property
Are you wondering how to deter ticks or otherwise prevent them from lurking around your property? Some of the best methods of preventing ticks include:
- Dogs and cats should remain on a preventative treatment plan for fleas and ticks as prescribed by a veterinarian.
- When hiking, you and your pet should remain on the main trail and avoid high grasses or weeds.
- Pretreat clothes and other belongings with .5% permethrin.
- Some of the EPA-approved repellents include DEET, IR3535, and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
The aforementioned list contains many of the most effective preventative measures; yet, property owners in the Mobile region who are experiencing a large, active tick infestation should seek assistance from a properly qualified pest control professional.
Expert Tick Control Services: Keeping Your Property Tick-Free
Are you seeking answers regarding how to get rid of ticks in yard areas? Rather than trying do-it-yourself tick control products, contact a local pest control company for help.
For more than 25 years now, the team of local professionals with EnSec Pest & Lawn has assisted property owners in this region who are enduring tick infestations. Ticks are very undesirable types of pests that pose health risks for both people and their pets; thus, our technicians will work quickly to expel these creatures from the premises and may identify other existing property conditions that might make the home susceptible to further problems with ticks.
As a truly full-service provider of residential pest control solutions here in the Mobile region, we also provide several specialized pest management options for those facing problems with bed bugs, fire ants, mosquitoes, and termites. Our treatment options are performed safely for the protection of our customers, their pests, and the local ecosystem.
Our operations focus on the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methodology that involves a comprehensive and common-sense approach to pest-related problems. For efficient pest control services, contact our office today.