The Best Tick Control For Maryland Properties
10/01/2021
In Maryland, we have some of the most enjoyable weather (for most of the year) for playing out in the yard and enjoying time with our pets. Unfortu...
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As we are nearly halfway through the month of May, which is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, it is important to be aware of a few things. As the weather is getting warmer you will start to see insects appear and yes, that includes those pesky ticks that no one wants to come in contact with. Ticks are usually found in wooded areas or in tall grass. So when you are out and around this summer, be mindful of this risk these areas pose.
Some ticks are of no harm to humans or animals, however, some other ticks carry Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease is a disease that can cause an array of problems. Lyme disease can even affect your joints, heart and brain. Borrelia burgdorferi is a bacterium that causes Lyme Disease and is is usually found in small animals, such as mice and squirrels. The types of ticks in Northern Virginia that you are likely to run into are the Black Legged Tick (aka the ‘Deer Tick’) and the Brown Dog Tick. Deer ticks are mostly to blame for spreading Lyme Disease. Some symptoms of Lyme Disease are Flu-like symptoms, headaches, fever, sore muscles and joints, Fatigue and a round, reddish rash that spreads at the site of the bite.
A few ways to protect ourselves from ticks are:
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Insect repellent- spray it on your skin and clothes.Use repellent that has a higher percent of the chemical DEET.
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Cover your skin up. Wear long sleeves and pants. Tuck your socks into your pant legs so the tick can't crawl up your leg.
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When you come in from outside, make sure you are checking yourself for ticks especially on the lower half of your body.
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If you do find a tick on yourself or someone/something else, remove the whole tick head and all. You can use fine tipped tweezers and pull the tick out, but make sure you grab as close to the mouth as possible, or you can saturate the area where the tick is with olive oil and pull the tick right off. However, if you cannot get the entire tick, contact your doctor especially if the tick has been attached for 36 hours. Lyme Disease doesn't usually spread for at least 36 hours.
If you have been bitten by a tick, call your doctor as there are medications that can aid in the changing effects of Lyme Disease. Untreated Lyme Disease can cause some problems in your health such as arthritis, paralysis, loss of sensation, loss of memory, irregular heartbeat, trouble with concentrating and affected sleep and moods. Tick bites just needs one call for one medication and catching Lyme Disease in its early stages can make the world of difference.
Go out and enjoy summer! Just be cautious of those small parasites and take time to check yourself, your family and your pets for ticks when you go inside! For pest control services in Reston and throughout Northern Virginia to help manage ticks as well as many other pests, contact American Pest today!
