Western Massachusetts tick control is vital for safeguarding your health, especially in the warmer months. In fact, pest control in Western Massachusetts needs to prioritize tick control in order to keep area residents safe from a number of dangerous diseases.
Welcome to Tick Control 101. We're about to break down some of the basics of how ticks operate, why they cause problems for humans and pets, and what you can do to prevent medical issues caused by ticks. Thanks for joining us.
The Life Cycle Of Ticks: A Comprehensive Overview
There are four stages to the tick life cycle: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Fun fact: ticks have six legs as larvae but then grow two more legs when they develop into nymphs.
What do tick eggs look like? Basically, tick eggs are tiny spheres, usually clumped together, and they are brown, red, or black in color. Tick eggs are most commonly found in overgrown areas, which provide them with a fair amount of protection.
It only takes around six months for a tick to develop into an adult, though that growth depends on its ability to feed on hosts. The nutrients they receive from the host's blood allow them to grow and develop. The total lifespan of a tick is roughly three years.
Unlike mosquitoes, which only feed on each host for a very short time, ticks will stay attached to a host for days at a time as they continue to feed. This leads us to tick-borne diseases.
Tick-Borne Diseases: The Silent Threat Of Tick Bites
Many people already know that ticks can spread diseases. More accurately, ticks can spread germs that lead to various diseases.
Do all ticks carry Lyme disease? No, only certain ticks carry and spread Lyme disease, but it's important to note that these ticks are fairly common in the northeastern United States.
While there is a long list of diseases that ticks can spread, the most important thing to remember is that any disease that results from a tick bite incident should be treated seriously. If you've recently been spending a lot of time outdoors, especially in areas with long grass or undergrowth, pay close attention to your health in the coming days.
If you start to notice symptoms like a high temperature, a rash, or sudden pains in your limbs, contact your doctor as soon as you can to discuss diagnosis and treatment.
Tick Prevention: Remedy Factors That Attract Ticks To Your Property
In order to minimize the risk of contracting a tick-borne illness, it's helpful to take steps to prevent ticks from gathering on your property.
Here are some of the factors that can attract ticks in Western Massachusetts:
- Long grass or overgrown shrubs.
- The presence of mice, rats, or other rodents that ticks use as hosts.
- A yard in close proximity to a forest area, with no barriers in between.
- An excess of fallen or rotting leaves.
By addressing these factors, you can reduce the risk of a tick infestation near your home.
Expert Tick Control Services: Keeping Your Property Tick-Free
To get rid of ticks and keep your property completely tick-free, it's always best to partner with a professional pest control company.
The fact is pest control companies have a wealth of experience when it comes to dealing with ticks, and we have the tools and the knowledge to get the job done. If you're concerned about the possibility of ticks living in your backyard, then it's definitely worth considering calling for assistance.
If you're interested in reliable tick control near you, consider giving American Pest Solutions a call at your earliest convenience. We can work with you to minimize ticks and other pests on your Western Massachusetts property. Reach out today to get started and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Western Massachusetts.