Tick Talk: Tick Season 2016

Let's talk ticks. The 2016 tick season has kicked off. And, if it seems like every time you turn around you're seeing ticks or hearing about them, you're not imagining things. Ticks are out in force this year. This could mean bad news for you, your kids, and your pets. There could be a ticking time bomb in your backyard, just waiting to go off. Tick. Tock. Here's what you need to know.

A mild winter means a longer tick season. And, when ticks have more active time, they produce more offspring. These creatures don't hibernate, and they can be active in temperatures as low as 38 °F. That means a few mild days in the dead of winter is enough to get them to climb on board passing animals and begin to breed.

Ticks travel on warm-blooded animals. When animals come into your yard, they can bring ticks with them, and those ticks fall off into your grass. That is where they wait, like a time bomb, for you, your children, or your pets to walk by.

The CDC connects ticks to several diseases, such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, powassan virus, Southern tick-associated rash illness, tularemia, and babesiosis. These are diseases that can be harmful to humans and pets alike. Lyme disease can lead to lifelong health complications.

If you travel anywhere, especially in the woods or tall grass, consider tucking your pant legs into your socks. Sure, you'll look a little silly, but you'll prevent tick bites. Ticks don't fly or fall from trees. They climb up. If you tuck your pants in and wear brighter colors, you'll have a better chance of catching them before they bite you. It is also a good idea to do a close search for ticks when you come back inside. The ticks that spread Lyme disease can be as small as the tip of a pen.

Tick treatments for your yard will kill the ticks living in your grass, and proper pest control will keep furry animals, such as mice, rats, squirrels, and raccoons from bringing ticks into your home.

If you'd like to know more about tick protection, give us a call. American Pest Solutions has safe and effective solutions for all the pests that can endanger your family, your pets, and your home. Get your protection in place today.