Tick Identification & Prevention

What are ticks?

Ticks are parasitic arachnids that feed on blood. These tiny creatures look and behave somewhat similarly to bed bugs, but there are a few distinct differences.

One of the biggest differences is that ticks have to embed themselves and feed on you for several hours to several days in order to get a full blood meal, which is how ticks wind up spreading so many diseases.

Are ticks dangerous?

Ticks are extremely dangerous, which is why tick protection is so important for your property. Ticks spread a myriad of different diseases, some of which can leave you permanently disabled.

The most common and most dangerous disease ticks spread is Lyme disease. This bacterial infection attacks the nervous system and the cardiovascular system and can do widespread damage if not treated with antibiotics immediately. The best prevention for Lyme disease is to avoid tick bites.

Why do I have a tick problem?

There are many different ways you could wind up with a tick infestation. One of the most common ways you end up with a breeding population of ticks on your property is having a wildlife infestation.

Wildlife, such as skunks, raccoons, or even rodents, are typically covered in fleas and ticks. When they come onto your property, they bring their parasitic hitchhikers with them. These animals can easily introduce an infestation of all kinds of ticks, and why tick control is typically impossible without adequate wildlife control.

Where will I find ticks?

If you have an infestation of ticks, you will typically find them in similar places to where you would find them in the wilderness. Ticks love to drop onto you from tree branches overhead or wait in overgrown brush for a host to happen by. 

They also love to crawl up your legs from tall grass or brush. You might find them in your ornamental trees, bushes, or grass, especially if you don't keep it cut short. This ability to hide just about anywhere is part of what makes it so difficult to get rid of ticks.

How do I get rid of ticks?

Tick removal is not really possible once you have a breeding population on your property, at least not without professional help. There are not very many over-the-counter products to deal with ticks. Furthermore, because ticks can hide in very hard-to-reach places, like high trees or dense brush, it can be difficult for untrained do-it-yourselfers to deliver tick control products to affected areas.

You will need help from the experts here at Mike's Pest, Termite and Wildlife Control. We are the premier tick control company for the White Plains area, and we can help ensure your property gets and stays tick-free all summer long. We can also help you kick the wildlife that brings ticks with them to the curb!

How can I prevent ticks in the future?

To keep ticks off your Maryland property, you will need to protect yourself and your pets while you are out in wilderness areas, and you will also need to prevent wildlife from infesting your home. Just follow these simple tick prevention tips:

• Keep pets on appropriate flea and tick-preventative medications.
• Take protective measures when going to wilderness areas, such as using bug spray with DEET and wearing protective clothing. 
• Prevent wildlife infestations by using lockable garbage can lids and avoiding leaving pet foods sitting out.
• If you find a tick on yourself or your pet, remove it by grasping it with tweezers and pulling it straight out without twisting or tearing the tick until it is out of the skin.

And remember, tick infestations are typically not problems homeowners can deal with themselves. So don't waste your time and money with store-bought solutions. If you wind up with a tick infestation on your property, contact the tick experts here at Mike's Pest, Termite and Wildlife Control!