Knowing These Facts About Ticks Can Protect Your Home & Family!
From Lyme disease to uncomfortable rashes to severe infections, tick bites can result in a wide array of unpleasant ailments. The good news is that a little knowledge goes a long way when it comes to protecting yourself from ticks. Here are some of the most common questions we hear about ticks and tick safety.
Q: If I suspect I have been bitten by a tick, how soon should I seek medical attention?
A: While an early diagnosis of a tick-related disease greatly reduces the risk of potentially dangerous complications, it will likely be sufficient to call your doctor or a nurse’s helpline. If symptoms worsen, you will likely want to visit your doctor in-person for a proper diagnosis.
Q: What do doctors prescribe to address tick-related ailments?
A: Once a doctor recognizes an illness or infection linked to a tick, treatment with antibiotics is usually effective. Always consult a physician or health care provider to help determine your best course of action.
Q: Can my pet be a host for ticks carrying harmful diseases?
A: Dogs often host the brown dog tick, which is common in the southwestern U.S. and along the Mexican border. Brown dog ticks transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a bacterial disease that can be fatal if it is not spotted early.
Q: What are some of the most common symptoms of illnesses related to tick bites?
A: Typical symptoms may include fever, chills, fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, rashes or skin ulcers.
Q: Is bug spray a good way to repel ticks when I’m hiking or backpacking?
A: DEET or commercial mosquito sprays do a fairly good job of keeping ticks away. However, it is much more effective to rely on physical impediments such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, heavy socks and tucked-in clothing.
Q: What is the best way to determine if I have ticks on me?
A: Use your eyes and hands to thoroughly examine your entire body. Standing in front of a mirror can help. Don’t assume you’ll feel ticks crawling around on the surface of your skin. They may be deeply embedded.
Q: What diseases do ticks transmit?
A: In North America, common tick-related diseases include Lyme disease, Q fever, anaplasmosis, tularemia, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis and Colorado tick fever.
Q: How can I keep ticks out of my yard and home?
In order to prevent ticks from settling in your yard or home, the goal is to remove the types of areas ticks usually inhabit. Make sure to keep any tall grass or weeds regularly trimmed, and keep stacks of firewood or brush far away from the home itself.
Finally, a professional pest control service can treat your yard for ticks and fleas to ensure that your yard is as inhospitable as possible for these little bloodsuckers. A dose of prevention goes a long way to preventing ticks from inhabiting your lawn, your home, your pets or even you! So partner with a pest control professional to keep your family safe from the illnesses and diseases ticks carry.
Are you concerned about ticks or other pests in your home, office or restaurant? Visit our homepage for more information. You can also call us directly. We provide expert service in the metropolitan Phoenix, Tucson, and Las Vegas regions.
