Ticks are among the most troubling pests in Langhorne. One of the worst of the tick species is the groundhog tick. While it does not spread Lyme disease, it does transmit Powassan virus to people. It is for this reason that many home and business owners request professional pest control treatments when they suspect a groundhog tick infestation.
The deer tick and the dog tick may be more common species, but the groundhog tick remains a serious concern. Feeding on people and pets, groundhog ticks are much more than just a nuisance.
Like other pests, groundhog ticks excel at surviving. They are able to adapt to all sorts of conditions, and they can do quite well living either indoors or outdoors. Groundhog ticks are tiny. This makes it very easy for full-grown pests and their minuscule eggs and larvae to hide.
Accordingly, professional tick control is essential to ending infestations. Using commercial-strength insecticides and technical know-how, exterminators know precisely how to get rid of groundhog ticks.
WHAT DO GROUNDHOG TICKS LOOK LIKE?
Similar in size to a sesame seed, the female fully grown groundhog tick can be difficult to identify. Typically, she is reddish-brown or tan with a darker hued dorsal shield. As an arachnid, adults have eight legs and no antenna. Pest control professionals may use microscopic inspection to differentiate the groundhog tick from the lookalike deer tick.
WHAT DO GROUNDHOG TICKS EAT?
Like other ticks, groundhog ticks eat blood. This species may take meals from people, birds and an array of animals. The groundhog, which also is known as the woodchuck, is the favored host of the groundhog tick. Nonetheless, they will feed on many other creatures including foxes, raccoons, weasels, porcupines, cats and dogs. Several bird species also are used as hosts, with people being a less common choice.
WHERE DO GROUNDHOG TICKS LIVE?
Wherever groundhogs and other small mammals live, groundhog ticks also will be found. People and pets come into contact with these pests while engaged in pleasant activities like camping, hiking and fishing. It is not unusual for people to be wholly unconcerned with groundhog ticks while enjoying the great outdoors, but this can be a terrible mistake.
Groundhog ticks place themselves in environments like forests and fields, clinging to leaves or blades of grass with their hind legs while leaving their forelegs free to "quest" for a passing host. This host may be almost any animal such as small mammals, birds, dogs or even people.
Those who want to protect themselves from groundhog ticks are encouraged to use insect repellent in places where ticks are likely to be found. Moreover, simply tucking pant legs into boots and wearing long-sleeved shirts can go a long way toward protecting people against picking up a groundhog or other tick.
Because it is extremely common for dogs to pick up ticks while on trails, it always makes sense for people to examine their pets for pests trying to cling to their pets before the animals are allowed back indoors.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY GROUNDHOG TICKS
Some pests are notorious for damaging property, but this is not the case with the groundhog tick. This species is a danger to the health of pets and people, but it is extremely unlikely to be responsible for structural damage.
ARE GROUNDHOG TICKS AGGRESSIVE?
Groundhog ticks are aggressive in the sense that they are completely focused on taking blood meals from hosts. When they are not on a host, they spend virtually all of their time looking for one. Once the groundhog tick finds a host, it remains attached until it is fully engorged or is physically removed.
Some groundhog ticks will remain attached to a host for days before they fall off. They will feed all the while, which is a frightening thought for many people.
Avoiding this situation is paramount in most people's minds. The best way to do this is by conducting a tick check upon leaving outdoor areas. After hiking or camping and before climbing into the car, it makes sense to run hands over every part of the body. Groundhog ticks are most likely to hide in the belly button, on the scalp, in the hairline or behind the knees. Pay special attention to the areas between the legs, in the armpits and around the ears.
Use a pair of tweezers to remove any ticks that are discovered. Examine children and dogs for signs of groundhog ticks as well.
DO GROUNDHOG TICKS CARRY DISEASE?
The Powassan virus is commonly carried by groundhog ticks. It causes an illness called Powassan encephalitis, with most cases in America being diagnosed in the Northeast.
An infected host passes the virus to the groundhog tick. The pest passes the virus to a subsequent host when taking a meal.
Symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, vomiting, headache and fever are some of the initial signs of Powassan encephalitis. Further, more serious, symptoms may include brain swelling, seizures, and meningitis.
Powassan encephalitis does not begin to manifest immediately after a host is bitten by an infected groundhog tick. Instead, it may take one week or as much as one month for the first symptoms to be noticed. People who suffer a particularly severe case of Powassan encephalitis may experience long-term effects like persistent headaches and problems with memory.
HOW TO DETECT GROUNDHOG TICKS
Signs of a potential tick problem include:
• People and pets spend a great deal of time outdoors • Comprehensive tick checks are not being conducted after being outside • People or pets have unexplained symptoms of illness • Pets must scratch more than usual
HOW TO PREVENT GROUNDHOG TICKS
To help prevent tick issues the following steps should be taken:
• Maintaining yards with shorter lawns and trimmed foliage • Using insect repellent on gear that is used for outdoor activities • Wearing insect repellent when outdoors • Wearing hats, long sleeves and long pants in wilderness areas • Completing tick checks of all people and pets after spending time outside
HOW TO TREAT FOR TICKS
At Newtown Termite & Pest Control, we take tick problems seriously. That's why we employ a comprehensive system based on both treatment and prevention when providing tick control for your Philadelphia home or business.
Our treatment process includes all of the areas where ticks ate known to hide, including cracks, crevices, around doors, windows, baseboards, carpeting, furniture, and pet areas.
We use only the finest professional-grade products available designed to kill ticks on contact as well as to provide long-lasting protection against future infestations.
Proper tick removal begins with a thorough inspection. If you suspect you may have a tick problem, call Newtown today to schedule a free inspection.
