With summer here, we’re sure all you want to do is embrace all the fun that the sunshine has to offer! Whether that is taking hikes through the woods with your family or setting up the sprinkler for the kiddos to run through, summer can come with tons of fun! But, it can also come with a parasite that isn’t….ticks. Tick season rolls around at the peak of summer heat which means that tick-borne diseases are more prevalent during the summer months too!
A recent study done by the University of Virginia states that this summer is supposed to be one of the worst for ticks, because of the mild winter we experienced. The mild winter combined with this spring’s heavy rain created a plethora of tall grass creating the perfect environment for a tick bite. So how do you avoid these pests this summer? Our team at Sigma Pest has a few tips to help keep you safe this summer!
Tick Identification
A recent study done by the University of Virginia states that this summer is supposed to be one of the worst for ticks, because of the mild winter we experienced. The mild winter combined with this spring’s heavy rain created a plethora of tall grass creating the perfect environment for a tick bite. So how do you avoid these pests this summer? Our team at Sigma Pest has a few tips to help keep you safe this summer!
The Deer Tick
The deer tick is a small pest that is about 2-3 millimeters in length with a long mouth part. They are off white and red with black legs, making these species stand out from the others.
The Brown Tick
The deer tick is a small pest that is about 2-3 millimeters in length with a long mouth part. They are off white and red with black legs, making these species stand out from the others.
The Lone Star Tick
This species of tick is one of the easiest to identify because of the central white spot on its back. They can grow up to 5 millimeters long and have long mouth parts that they use to latch onto their prey.
The American Dog Tick
This species of tick is one of the easiest to identify because of the central white spot on its back. They can grow up to 5 millimeters long and have long mouth parts that they use to latch onto their prey.
While each tick species varies in appearance, there is one thing that they all have in common, they pose an extreme danger to your health.
Interesting Tick Facts
When it comes to ticks there are quite a few things that most people don’t know! The first is that ticks aren’t actually insects. These pests are technically classified as arachnids, which makes them relatives of spiders, mites, and scorpions. If you look closely, while identifying the pest you can see that they do in fact share some resemblance with spiders.
Ticks are also real life vampires because they require blood to survive! Unlike other biting pests, ticks tend to feed on their hosts for a long period of time. They do this by burying their curved teeth deep into the skin in order to remain securely attached for days on end. And, they don’t just look for humans to bite, some tick species actually prefer dogs! This is why regular flea and tick treatment is extremely important for your animals. Dogs are easy targets so taking the time to check your pets for ticks after a long day of playing is vital.
Another fact you should know about ticks is that they can’t actually jump or fly. Instead, these pests tend to crawl up on low bushes and in grass to wait for the perfect host. Once they find their victim they use a process called questing where the tick will clasp on with their back legs while reaching their front legs out to grab hold. Sometimes the tick will even drop from their perch to free fall onto a potential host.
Preventing Tick Bites
So how exactly can you prevent falling victim to this dangerous pest? Well, the first thing to know is that ticks require 24-48 hours of feeding before they can transmit infections like Lyme disease, so making sure to check your body and remove any ticks that you have found can help keep you safe!
Choose the Proper Clothing
If you are planning to spend large periods of time outside in wooded areas and tall grasses you will want to opt for long pants, long sleeve shirts, and closed toed shoes. You may also want to wear light colored clothing in order to spot these pests right away.
Check your Pets
As we have mentioned before, some tick species actually prefer latching on to animals. Make sure to avoid walking your dogs in tall grass where ticks can hide and make sure to check your pets on a regular basis. Similar to humans, your pests can also contract Lyme disease so taking the time to make sure there are no ticks buried in their fur is extremely important.
Maintain your Yard
In order to keep your yard tick free, make sure to regularly cut your grass and take the time to remove weeds, woodpiles, and other debris that can attract not only ticks but other summer pests too. Make sure you also take the time to trim your shrubs and bushes along with other vegetation around your home.
Be Smart While Hiking
When you are hiking make sure to stay in the center of the trail instead of on the sides. This will keep you away from vegetation that ticks are hiding in wait.
How We Can Help Prevent A Tick Investation
Ticks are an unfortunate side effect that comes along with the summer heat and making sure you and your family are safe from them is important! Our team at Sigma Pest is here to help with all of your summer pest problems! From ticks to mosquitoes, we are your one stop shop for your pest needs! Contact us today for more information about our pest control packages!