Let’s start at the beginning, what is a tick?
Ticks are classified under the umbrella category of Arachnida,also encompassing spiders. Ticks have been on the earth for nearly 90 million years and require blood to live and reproduce. Interestingly enough, they do not fly or jump and according to Health.com:
Ticks have four pairs of legs, no antennae, and importantly don’t fly or jump, either. Instead, when ticks are ready to feed, they usually camp out on blades of grass or other foliage, where they wait for a human or animal to come to them. It’s a strategy called questing: By using their third and fourth pairs of legs for stability, they stretch out their first set of legs and latch onto the unsuspecting host; from there, some ticks might crawl around until they find a thin area of skin near a small blood vessel, where it’s easier to extract blood.
Where are ticks found?
Ticks are very industrious and patient. They thrive in and around your home quite inconspicuously. They are most likely not taking up residence in the middle of a sun exposed lawn. Ticks can be found:
- In wooded areas, state parks, and hiking trails
- On or around heavily weeded and tall grassy areas
- In our yards around unraked leaves, unkept beds, and bushes
- In deep grass- keep your lawn and bushes trimmed
- On host animals such as deer, squirrels, and mice
- In garbage, discarded food and birdseed. Keep your trash and yard clean.
Why are ticks dangerous to people, dogs, and other animals?
We hear so often that people did not know there were ticks in their yard until they found one on their pet or on themselves when gardening. Unfortunately, we do not like to be inconvenienced so we go out in the backyard near wet, weeded areas of our properties in shorts and a t-shirt and later on in the evening we see a small red area or a little bump on our lower leg or wrist. You may find one of the top of your dog’s head.
Be careful removing the tick. If you are unsure, you may need to see a doctor or veterinarian. Either way, please do not dismiss a tick bite. Lyme disease is extremely dangerous and in some cases fatal.
How do I get rid of ticks?
Start with a clean and healthy yard. Remove old piles of leaves, decaying and rotting wood piles, and areas where lawn clippings and brush have created a home for mice and other nuisance wildlife and insects. Starting with a clean slate increases your chance for success when using a pest control professional. Now it is time for treatment.
When dealing with pesticides, always trust a professional. We offer green products for ticks upon request. Our technicians at Accurate Pest Control offer the following methods for tick management and removal:
Granular applications: The most common method is an application of granular treatment to the lawn and surrounding brush.
Fogging applications: Fogging applications to the brush perimeter is highly effective.
One time/weekly service: It will soon be graduation party time. We offer one-time services before a big event. This can include mosquito services as well. Options include weekly or monthly treatments.
We recommend at minimum, a monthly treatment plan from May-September. Prices will be determined upon inspection.
We are here to protect you, your family, and your pets. If you are unsure if you have a tick infestation, just give us a quick call and we can take a look and discuss treatment options with you, if necessary.
For more information about ticks, visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html
