Get Smart About Tick-Borne Illness
Arachnids related to mites and spiders, ticks are troublesome pests that can be found in almost every area of the world. Some 25 species of ticks call Arizona home, and at least a few of these carry diseases harmful to humans and pets. Knowing what tick-borne diseases are found in our local area is the first step towards keeping your family and pets safe.
Lyme Disease and Other Nasty Tick Troubles
Lyme disease is one of the most well-known tick-borne illnesses in the U.S. Transmitted by blacklegged ticks. It causes headache, fever, fatigue and a rash. The disease can almost always be treated with a simple course of antibiotics. Left untreated, however, infection can spread to other areas of the body and cause serious health complications. The only verifiable cases in Arizona have been found in the Mojave Desert, so be careful while hiking in that area. Ticks can travel, so don’t ignore the symptoms of Lyme disease just because you haven’t been to the Mojave.
Ticks around the nation also carry a host of other diseases. Thankfully, only two of these diseases are found in the greater Phoenix and Tucson areas. The first of these is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), which is spread by the brown dog tick. Symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, lack of appetite, muscle pain and upper respiratory problems. RMSF can be treated with antibiotics when it is detected early enough. If symptoms are ignored, the disease can cause long-term health complications.
The second disease found in Arizona is Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF),which is very rare. This bacteria can cause up to four on-off fever cycles, muscle pain, joint pain, body aches, headaches, vomiting, nausea, rash, light sensitivity and confusion. It is generally treated with antibiotics. The ticks that carry TBRF tend to be found in rustic cabins and vacation properties.
Protecting Your Family from Diseased Ticks
When you’re outdoors hiking or camping, you can help prevent tick problems by wearing long-sleeved shirts, tucking your pants into your socks and boots, and using insect repellent. However, avoiding ticks that live around your home can prove a bit trickier. You don’t want to suit up every time you go outside or worry when you let your pets out. What should you do?
For most families, the best solution is to work with a professional pest control company. We can take care of immediate extermination needs and help you create a plan for integrated pest management (IPM) to keep ticks away for good. Are you ready to talk about getting a tick problem under control? Contact us at Burns Pest Elimination today so we can schedule an appointment to come out and help.
