When it comes to pests, some are simply nuisances, and those that can pose serious threats to our health and safety when they come into our homes or businesses. One such pest that falls into the latter category that we need to be cognizant of here in Aiken is the tick.
Ticks are parasitic pests that feed on the blood of animals and humans alike. In doing so, they can spread several harmful bloodborne diseases to both us humans and our pets. As such, you need to know some useful information about ticks so that you can better protect yourself, your family, and your pets from these harmful parasites. Here are the answers to Aiken’s most commonly asked tick questions.
What Time Of Year Is Tick Season?
Although many consider the summer to be tick season due to more people spending time in the great outdoors, the truth is ticks are prevalent year-round. No matter what season it may be, always be sure to exercise caution while venturing into the great outdoors. This means sticking to the centers of trails and avoiding going into high grass and brush.
How Do Ticks Get On You?
Unlike fleas, which jump onto their prey, ticks instead have to drop on them as they are not capable of jumping. Ticks will hang out on tall grass and wait for a potential host to walk by. Then, they will simply latch on to the host, usually without the host ever knowing.
What Should I Do If I Have A Tick On Me?
If you find a tick somewhere on your body, be sure to remove it right away. Unlike most pest bites, you could easily get bitten by a tick and not become aware of it until you see it still attached to you.
You will most likely be okay, but ticks can transmit bloodborne diseases, it’s important to remove the tick from your skin as soon as possible using tweezers. Be careful to remove the head from your skin. If you experience a rash, neck stiffness, headache, nausea, weakness, muscle or joint pain, a fever, or chills, be sure to speak with a medical professional immediately.
How Do I Know If I Got Bit By A Tick?
Tick bites are usually present in small red bumps, not unlike the bite of a mosquito. If you find such a bump on you and also experience any of the aforementioned symptoms, be sure to seek medical attention.
How Can I Keep Ticks Off Me?
There are several steps you can take to protect yourself from ticks while out in the world and in your backyard. To protect yourself from ticks while out in the great outdoors, you should:
- Stick to the centers of hiking trails.
- Refrain from venturing into tall grass or brush.
- Wear long sleeves and pants to keep your skin protected from potential tick bites.
- Inspect you and your pets’ bodies for ticks after returning from spending time outdoors.
In addition to these preventative steps, you should also take some steps to help keep ticks out of your yard. These include:
- Keep your grass cut short and your yard free of debris and overgrown vegetation.
- Place barriers around fruit and vegetable plants and pick up all fallen fruits and veggies to keep tick-carrying wildlife out of your yard.
- Keep outdoor dining and seating areas free of food trash and leftover food.
Contact Aiken Pest For All Your Tick Concerns
If you have any more questions regarding ticks or tick prevention, contact the professionals here at Aiken Pest Control. Here at Aiken Pest Control, we offer a variety of commercial and residential pest control treatment solutions to best fit your needs. Don’t fret over ticks.