The Benefits Of Professional Tick Control

In a recent article, we talked about how summer weather causes us to think more about ticks because ticks are more active in the summer. But wouldn't it be nicer if you didn't have to worry about ticks at all? Well, in your yard, you don't. When you have seasonal mosquito & tick control from a trusted professional like American Pest, you can let your guard down and enjoy your yard more. That's one of the biggest benefits of investing in professional tick control. Let's look at a few more.

Human Illness

The most important benefit of professional tick control is how it works to address the threat of tick-borne diseases. Some of the many diseases associated with ticks are babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, tularemia, RMSF, Powassan virus, Lyme disease, and alpha-gal allergies.

If you contract babesiosis, you might think you have Lyme disease. The symptoms are similar. But babesia, which is a malaria-like parasite, also referred to as a piroplasm, infects the red blood cells of humans. Like Zika virus, it can also affect unborn children if a mother contracts this illness. Symptoms include fatigue, drenching sweats, high fever, muscle aches and chest pain, headache, and a shortness of breath. Babesiosis can be treated with a combination of antimalarial drugs and antibiotics.

According to the CDC, ehrlichiosis can be serious and fatal if not treated correctly, even in previously healthy people. Symptoms include fever, chills, body pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, red eyes, and rash. In severe cases, there can be a difficulty breathing and bleeding disorders. The estimated case fatality rate is 1.8%.

Lyme disease is an illness spread primarily by blacklegged ticks (deer ticks) and can lead to lifelong medical complications. In its early stages it is treatable. And early detection and removal of blacklegged ticks are vital for disease prevention for humans and pets.

Alpha-gal allergies are essentially what we refer to as meat allergy. This sugar (alpha-gal) is present in mammalian meat, and it is what triggers the allergic reaction. Symptoms may include rash, stomach aches, nausea, headaches, fatigue, respiratory problems, vomiting, and anaphylaxis. Most instances of meat allergies are the result of tick bites, and the Lone Star tick is the primary, known carrier. You can identify this tick by the lone white spot on its back.

We could go on and on and on, but you get the point. Ticks carry diseases. While not every tick that feeds on you will have a human pathogen, it is best to avoid exposure to ticks.

Pet Protection

The first line of protection for cats and dogs is veterinarian-prescribed tick control products. These come in many forms.

• Topicals are applied to the fur of your pet to deal with any ticks that climb on and attempt to make your pet their host. They also work to deal with ticks that have already gotten on. It is important to apply these treatments routinely. Some topicals include shampoo, powders, and least toxic insecticides.
• Tick collars work to kill ticks as they attempt to get up to the ears of your pet, which is a locations ticks prefer. This is because the ears are in a great place to avoid being scratched or chewed as the dog or cat attempts to get them off.
• Oral medication can be used to make your pet resistant to ticks. Your vet can walk you through the details and help you determine if this is the right option for you.

While there are many veterinarian-prescribed tick control products, they are not 100% protection for your pets. Ticks can still present a threat to your furry loved ones. Professional tick control in your yard will help to make this protection complete by reducing tick populations in pet play areas to zero or near zero and reducing the spread of ticks by wildlife that comes into the shaded locations around your foundation to hide and forage for food.

Tick Protection Works Year Round

When you have ongoing pest protection from a pest management professional, you'll have access to year-round protection for ticks. And, if you're not aware, ticks are definitely a year-round problem in the D.C. area. The brown dog tick is able to complete its entire life cycle indoors. If this tick gets into your home during the summer or fall, you could have a full-blown infestation in the winter. It's good to know that expert help is just a call away.

Ticks can also enter your home in the cold month by hitching a ride on rodents. Mice and rats carry ticks in and spread them to some unexpected locations. Tick treatments will reduce ticks around your perimeter and reduce the exposure of mice and rats to ticks on your property and, through the winter, the addition of rodent control can keep rodents out.

American Pest

The low-cost mosquito & tick control program from American Pest is second to none. Your home will get 7 to 8 services during the tick season. Your certified and trained pest management professional (PMP) will apply a mist to trouble areas where questing ticks wait for a host. Our team can also address rodent activity and prevent rodents from gaining entrance to your home.

Ticks are a threat every resident of D.C. should take seriously. While every tick that bites is not infected, why take the chance?

For industry-leading tick control in the D.C. area, give us a call today.