Ticks in Worcester spread Lyme disease and other dangerous illnesses. It's essential to learn what you can about these pests so that you can minimize your chances of a dangerous bite. Here's what you need to know about how ticks spread diseases, common ticks in Worcester, the best ways to prevent ticks in your yard, and how professional pest control in Worcester can help protect you from ticks.
How Do Ticks Spread Diseases?
Not all tick bites result in the spread of illness, but every tick bite increases the risk of contracting a tick-borne disease. Tick bites are not like other insect bites. Rather than flying or jumping onto your skin for a quick bite that leaves you with an itchy welt, tick bites are a long-term affair.
Ticks will climb onto hosts that get close enough for them to reach and then spend some time finding an area to bite. In most cases, people do not feel the tick on their skin or the bite itself. Ticks can take hours to embed their heads into your skin before feeding. Once they do, they can transmit various diseases into your bloodstream. The sooner you notice a tick and remove it from your skin, the lesser your chances of contracting a tick-borne illness which is why it's important to always check for ticks when returning from time outdoors.
Common Ticks In The Worcester Area
The two most common ticks found in the Worcester area are deer ticks and dog ticks. Deer ticks are also called blacklegged ticks because of their appearance. They are well known for transmitting a variety of diseases, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, human babesiosis, Powassan encephalitis, and more. Aside from their dark legs, deer ticks can be identified by their orange-brown coloring. They grow to be no larger than 1/8 of an inch when unengorged.
Dog ticks, also known as wood ticks, often feed on domestic dogs, but that doesn't mean that people are safe from their bites. These ticks will go after any available host. They grow slightly larger than deer ticks and are brown with white to gray markings. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the disease they are most likely to spread to people.
The Six Best Ways To Get Rid Of & Prevent Ticks
Ticks are dangerous pests to have in your yard. Some of the best ways to keep ticks away from your home include:
- Keep your lawn mowed frequently. Ticks often hide in long grass and weeds.
- Cut shrubs and branches away from high-traffic areas in your yard. Ticks cannot jump or fly; instead, they do something called questing. They will climb up on a branch and hold on with their back legs while they stretch out their front legs to grab onto anything that passes by.
- Minimize wildlife on your property as much as possible. While beautiful, these animals are often hosts to ticks and other parasites.
- Get rid of leaf litter and other debris around your property. These areas provide cover for ticks but also tick-carrying rodents.
- Use a year-round tick preventative on your pets.
- Consult with a professional.
There are ways you can help minimize the odds of ticks settling on your property, but getting rid of ticks often requires a professional approach.
Keep Ticks Out Of Your Yard Forever!
The best way to eliminate ticks and keep them from returning to your Worcester yard is to work with an experienced professional. At Encon, we have the knowledge and background to help you safely get rid of ticks and keep them from coming back. We have developed a successful tick treatment program from April through October to remove ticks while keeping your lawn a safe place for your family and pets. Call today to find out more or schedule your first service.