Tick Season Fast Approaching

March 15, 2016

In: Biting Insects

Ticks have become more than a trending topic of discussion. Lyme disease is no longer an isolated, occasional disease. As we quickly approach another tick season, proper tick identification is of utmost importance. The potential dangers to which people are exposed through a tick bite is more than enough to warrant taking the time to become better educated and more knowledgeable of this subject.

The environment for optimal survival is one of warm temperatures and high humidity. Ticks do not drink water like most other pests and therefore, need a humid climate with the ideal level of humidity being 85% or more. They must also have hosts available from which to draw blood. Current trends of rising global temperatures and increased rainfall are pointing to a potential increase in tick populations this spring. This, of course, also increases the danger of exposure to tick-borne diseases.

Tick identification is really not difficult. The important thing to remember that the size of a tick, as well as the appearance, changes drastically as they attach to a host and gorge themselves with blood. This small, flat shaped brown insect can balloon into a plump, lighter colored bloodsucker that looks nothing like its original appearance. Ticks have 8 legs and range in color from various shades of brown to reddish brown. Again, the color changes drastically after feeding on a host for a long period of time.

Another thing to make note of is that ticks do not fly and they do not jump. They are not “carried about” by the wind. An insect that lands on you from the air or hops on you like a flea is likely not a tick. Ticks do, however, feed on birds, so there is a possibility that they can find themselves at a higher elevation and may very well end up falling when they detach from their bird host. A very rapid moving object on you is also not likely to be a tick. Ticks are very slow moving creatures and methodically continue on their search for a host with amazing patience.

The danger with ticks is that there are some variations that are loaded with disease-causing pathogens. Although there are many other viruses, the most common today is the spread of Lyme disease from the ever increasing deer tick. In the event of a tick becoming attached to you, carefully remove it, preserve it in a damp paper towel and place in a plastic bag to be properly identified and tested for any signs of disease.

The only way to effectively control the ticks on your property is that all adults, larva, and eggs must be eliminated. This makes control difficult and calls for the assistance of a professional pest control service. American Pest Solutions is Massachusetts’ oldest family owned pest control company. Our Pest Guard home protection program offers you the best in complete integrated protection available. When you contact the experts here at American Pest, we not only protect you from current pest activity but we also focus on prevention and will remove the worry of future occurrences.

Keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe from ticks and many other pests by contact us today!