Tick Talk: Effective Prevention And Control Strategies For Your Waldorf Property
Tick-tock, tick-talk, have you considered ticks recently? If you haven’t, it’s only a matter of time before you bring one of these pests into your home. All wordplay aside, these local arachnids are a big problem that many homeowners underestimate. We want to make sure this is not the case for you. Thankfully, you are here today.
To make sure we do not waste your time, let’s get right into things. Here is everything you should know about the ticks in Waldorf and how to effectively get and keep them out of your home. Talk with our team at Mike’s Pest and Termite Control if you would like our assistance in preventing or controlling these invaders. We will share some of our offerings for tick control in Waldorf and find a method that works best for you.
An Introduction To Ticks: Understanding The Basics
We could write a book about ticks and their behaviors. The good news is that you would not need to read that book to understand these pests. Let’s start with the basics. Ticks are arachnids, not insects. They have eight legs and piercing mouthparts that they use to bury their heads beneath human and animal skin. They do this to obtain blood meals. Unlike other blood-feeding creatures like mosquitoes and fleas, ticks do not bite and run. They take their time to eat. On average, it takes these bugs 36 to 48 hours to fill up with a blood meal. It is only after this time that they will willingly drop off and find places to hide and breed nearby. This allows you time to identify these biters on your body and remove them.
You are most likely to pick up common types of ticks by walking through tall grass or thick foliage. We will talk in a bit about ways to reduce your chances of finding these pests on your property. First, let’s talk about the problems they cause.
The Dangers Of Tick-Borne Diseases: Risks And Symptoms
Getting bitten by a tick in Waldorf does not always lead to a life-threatening illness. That said, the ticks in our area have the ability to get you very sick. Different types of ticks spread different diseases.
The American dog tick spreads Rickettsia rickettsii, which leads to Rocky Mountain Spotted fever. They also spread Francisella tularensis, which leads to tularemia. The blacklegged tick, on the other hand, spreads Powassan disease and Lyme disease. Lyme disease is especially problematic, as it is difficult to treat. It is easier to treat if the person infected can provide the tick that spread it to them. If you ever find a blacklegged tick on your body, take it off and store it in a plastic bag in the freezer. This will give you a better shot of finding a treatment that will work for you if you contract Lyme disease.
Preventing Tick Bites: Essential Tips For Your Outdoor Space
Avoiding tick bites is not terribly difficult. The first thing we recommend is implementing some DIY prevention tips and tricks around your property and home. Here are some great places to start.
- Fill in gaps, holes, and cracks around your home’s exterior foundation that might allow ticks or tick-carrying pests a way indoors.
- Make sure all of your screens are in good condition, and keep unscreened doors and windows closed if you are not using them.
- Address gaps around windows and doors using weatherstripping and door sweeps.
- Install a fence around your garden and yard.
- Keep your grass trimmed short and keep organic clutter to a minimum.
For more effective tick control, talk with our team at Mike’s Pest and Termite Control. You might be surprised with how affordable and effective our plans are.
Professional Tick Control Services: Stress-Free And Effective
Investing in professional tick prevention and control could save you a serious headache in the future, sometimes literally. If you would like to avoid these pests and the dangerous diseases they spread to locals, get our team involved. We will pay you a visit, find out if you are dealing with a current infestation of these pests, and offer some short and long-term options to protect your home.
If you are looking for other pest control offerings, we have loads of treatments and services. All you have to do is let us know you need some help. Contact our team at Mike's Pest and Termite Control now to learn more about our service offerings and find a treatment time to have ticks removed from your Waldorf home and property.