Summer Pests In MD That Could Spread Disease

Summer season brings many fun-filled activities and relief from a long, relentless winter. The joys of outdoor BBQ and fun days at the beach push any lingering thoughts of snow and frigid temperatures aside for the next few months. However, there are other things that accompany the summer season for which we do not put out the welcome mat.

There are a few summer pests in MD that not only become a nuisance but are also carriers of diseases threatening to humans. More than likely, ticks and mosquitoes are the first of that category that come to mind. Any avoidance and precautionary measures should be exercised to prevent spreading of such diseases they carry.

The deer tick or blacklegged tick, common throughout most of Maryland including Montgomery County, is a small flat bloodsucking pest. Even though the tick does not jump or fly, they are good climbers. They will cling to bushes, tall grass and trees waiting to hitch a ride on any animals or humans that happen to brush against them. Although there are other diseases associated with tick bites, the most common is Lyme disease. This can become a serious illness and should be considered worthy of all preventive measures.

Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics if it is discovered in its early stage. If left untreated, Lyme disease can become serious with lasting effects. Some of the symptoms of Lyme disease begin within days or a few weeks after being infected. The symptoms in stage one of exposure are similar to the flu and an include chills, fever, joint and muscle pain and a bull’s eye rash. A slightly raised red spot where the bite occurred, a clear area in the center with a red rash surrounding it and expanding in size is a sure indicator of the presence of Lyme disease. Further more serious symptoms may include numbness, paralysis in the muscles of the face, heart problems and shortness of breath.

The mosquito is a tenacious nuisance, buzzing around until you are eventually bitten. While the bite can be an irritating itch, it can also introduce you to serious diseases. The two most prevalent diseases are the West Nile Virus and malaria. The carriers of these diseases are vectors meaning that they can transmit diseases from one human or animal to another. Although many people are bitten by mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus, most are not affected and do not show any symptoms or signs of being infected. Those that do become infected experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea and sore throat. The symptoms usually last less than a week but may continue for a month.

Another mosquito-carrying disease is the Chikungunya fever. This disease was discovered in the Caribbeans in 2013. It was just recently reported in Florida. 

Enjoy your summer but use preventive measures to reduce the risk of mosquito and tick bites. Contact American Pest for further information and treatments available to reduce infestation of these pests.

Serving Gaithersburg, Germantown and all of Montgomery County as well as Maryland, D.C. and Northern Virginia, our team of pest control professionals are ready to help you protect your family this summer!