August Pest of the Month: Ticks

It’s important to protect yourself and your pets from ticks this season!  Keep reading for more information on the little suckers!

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

• Size varies depending on the species and type.
• More closely related to spiders than insects.
• Can have either a soft or a hard body.
• Usually brought into homes by animals.
• Feed on animals and humans for their blood meal.

HABITS

• Live in low lying areas such as grass, shrubs, and bushes while waiting for a passing host to attach themselves on to.
• Female ticks have about 3,000 eggs in the spring time.
• Ticks feed on humans, mice, squirrels, raccoons, skunks, dogs, and birds.

SPECIES

• American dog tick
• Blacklegged/deer/bear tick
• Brown dog tick
• Lone Star Tick
• Rocky Mountain Wood Tick

THREATS

• Ticks attach themselves to animals or humans to obtain their blood meal by biting the victim.
• Can cause irritation around the site of the bite, allergic reaction, or cause the mouth parts to get stuck in the skin when the tick is removed.
• Known to transfer Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.

PREVENTION

• When in wooded areas or tall grass, wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed toed shoes.
• Use a bug repellant that contains DEET.
• Keep grass and other vegetation on your property properly cut and maintained.
• Inspect yourself for ticks after being outdoors.
• Inspect your pets for ticks after being outdoors.
• If you find a tick, use tweezers to remove the tick with a slow, gentle, upward pressure.

OTHER PESTS TO LOOK OUT FOR

• Ants
• Mosquitoes
• Spiders

Call Northwest Exterminating for information on how to protect your home and loved ones from ticks.