Ticks Are More than a Nuisance, but Hopper Environmental Services Can Help

*Fighting Tick Problems

*Tick Infestations Are

Serious!

The US plays host to more than 80 different species of ticks. No matter what kinds of ticks you’re dealing with, you can get some terrible bacterial and viral health conditions as the result of a single bite.

Lyme disease and encephalitis are among these. Dealing with the problem immediately is a must.

*Have I Been Bitten?

If you are bitten by a tick, you’ll typically only notice an insect bite that itches, but it could become more severe than that, and you could end up with a serious illness on your hands.

Even your pets can become infested with ticks, and that could cause both anemia and weight loss.

*What You May Notice

There may be 80 different species of ticks in the U.S., but there are three common ticks that cause problems.

The deer tick, or the black legged tick, is very common and can cause Lyme disease.

American dog ticks are also in the list of the top 3. They can cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

While brown dog tick. While they can’t transmit health conditions to humans, they can transmit them among dogs.

*A Few Notes About Ticks

*Eating: Ticks only consume the blood of warm blooded animals like our pets and us. Females eat slower than males do. In fact, they can gorge themselves on one host for days. Once a female is engorged, she will lay her eggs, then die. Ticks, though, can have a long lifespan if they stay hungry. In fact, they can live up to two years between meals.

*A Few Notes About Ticks

*Habitats: Ticks love to hide. Grassy and wooded areas are great for most ticks. The brown dog tick, though, is the exception. They’re found exclusively inside, and they can hide in your furniture, behind your baseboards, or under the edge of your rugs.

*Mating: Depending on the type of tick you have a problem with, mating actually usually occurs on the host. Many types of male ticks must eat before they mate. With deer ticks, though, this isn’t always the case.

*When Do Ticks Appear?

Ticks appear as the weather warms up. Adult deer ticks can stand relatively cold temperatures. Anything above 40 degrees is fine for them. If you suspect ticks may be a problem in your area, it’s best to start preventing problems as the weather turns to spring.

*Preventing a Problem

While it’s best to consult a professional, there are a few things you can do on your own to deal with a tick problem. First, treat your pets. Talk to your vet about the best preventative medication on the market. When you head out to tick infested areas, be sure to wear repellant. Put it on your clothes and on your shoes. Finally, be sure you mow on a regular basis, and thin the vegetation closest to your property.

*Tips You Need Now

• Check your pets for ticks before you bring them in the house.

• If you notice a tick on your children, your pet, or you, remove it with tweezers, grabbing the part where the tick’s mouth has entered the skin.

• If you plan to head into tick-infested territory, tuck your shirt inside your pants. Be sure to tuck your pants inside your boots as well.

• While you’re out, avoid sitting on the ground as much as possible.

*Managing a Tick Problem

You’ll certainly want to bring in the professionals as soon as possible. Don’t even bother with those do-it-yourself products in the hardware store. If, however, you want effective treatment, be sure to catch them in the right season. Your pest control professional can help you learn more.

*Professional Help

If you think that you have a tick problem, getting help may be your best idea. Getting rid of ticks can be a time consuming, and expensive, process if you do it on your own. Experts have the equipment and experience to be able to get rid of the pests in a fairly quick manner.