Ticks are second only to mosquitoes when it comes to spreading illnesses to human victims. Accordingly, a tick infestation is a serious medical concern in homes and businesses across Newtown.
Most ticks are tiny, approximately the size of an apple seed. This diminutive size helps the tick to avoid detection. Species such as American dog ticks, black-legged ticks, and groundhog ticks are among the most likely to spread diseases to people. Unfortunately, they also are among the most common ticks found in the region around Newtown.
Professional tick control provides a reliable method for eliminating the problem. Because such infestations tend to be persistent and difficult to treat, it is wise to rely on an experienced exterminator to get the job done.
WHAT DO TICKS LOOK LIKE?
Ticks are arachnids, which means that they are related to spiders and have eight legs. Further distinguishing them from insects is the absence of antennae and wings. Most ticks have an oval-shaped, relatively flat body until they feed, which causes their body to swell.
Blacklegged ticks, which frequently are referred to as deer ticks, typically are a reddish-brown color, though their legs are black. Adults generally measure between three and five millimeters.
Approximately six millimeters long, American dog ticks have bodies that feature white or gray markings on a dark reddish-brown background.
Brown dog ticks prefer canine hosts to humans and are mostly brown in color. Typically, they are about six millimeters long, though females may double in size after a meal.
Smaller than most ticks, the groundhog tick may be the approximate size of a sesame seed. Females are reddish-brown and have a dorsal shield that is absent from the males.
WHERE DO TICKS LIVE?
Ticks are nearly always encountered outdoors, typically in areas with abundance brush, grass, weeds and trees. Because they do not have wings, ticks cling to tall plants and grass, waiting for a potential host to walk by. If ticks are found indoors, they are nearly always clinging to either an animal or human host.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY TICKS
While pests such as termites and rodents cause damage to property, this cannot be said for ticks. Instead, they largely represent a threat to human and pet health. Many people also are considerably disturbed by the thought of a blood-eating arachnid being in their home. This may make it difficult to relax or sleep until the infestation is eliminated.
WHAT DO TICKS EAT?
Blood is the staple food in every tick's diet. Generally, this food is obtained from a mammalian host like a raccoon, deer or opossum. When domesticated dogs and people wander into areas that serve as habitat for ticks, then they also may become hosts for ticks.
ARE TICKS AGGRESSIVE?
It is easy for people to feel that ticks are aggressive, mainly because they feed on blood. Moreover, ticks are small, so it is relatively easy for them to hide in the folds of clothing during a person's walk through a wilderness area.
Attaching themselves to a host involves a behavior known as questing. Unable to jump or fly, ticks climb to the top of a plant or blade of grass. They cling to the vegetation with their rear legs while their front legs reach out whenever they sense a nearby mammal.
Ticks generally attach themselves to the host's lower leg, and they may make their way upward while searching for a place to feed. When a good place is found, ticks burrow their heads under the host's skin and insert a feeding tube. The feeding tube releases chemicals that numb the area and thin the blood. Usually, the tick feeds for two or three days before detaching itself.
DO TICKS CARRY DISEASE?
Yes.
Ticks are well-known carriers of various illnesses that may be transmitted to people. Among the most common of these is Lyme disease. Some of the early symptoms of this illness include headache, fatigue, aches in the muscles and joints, chills and fever. Many people who are infected with Lyme disease also exhibit a rash that looks like a target or bullseye. Frequently, the rash appears at the site of the bite, but they also may appear elsewhere on the body.
Left untreated, the symptoms only become more severe. Antibiotics are required to end the infection, and if Lyme disease has spread through the body, additional treatments may be needed.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is another common illness that is transmitted from ticks to people. Symptoms may include severe headaches, confusion, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, chills and a high fever.
Still other common diseases that are carried by ticks include babesiosis, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis. Most of these illnesses can be treated with antibiotics.
HOW TO DETECT TICKS
When these signs are evident, a tick infestation may be underway:
• People or pets exhibiting unidentified bite marks • A tick attached to a person's skin • Finding ticks in the folds of clothing about time spent in wilderness areas
HOW TO PREVENT TICKS
The following measures can help to discourage tick activity:
• Periodically inspect clothing and other items for ticks while outdoors • Make a practice of using insect repellant • When walking through areas with tall grass or other plants, wear long sleeves and pants • Do not allow pets to enter the home until they have been inspected for ticks • Tuck pant hems into boots or socks • Wear clothing that is insect-repellant
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 Newtown 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.
