Tick 101: How to Identify, Remove, and Avoid These Small Parasites

Ticks can quickly turn an outdoor gathering into a frustrating event. These small blood-suckers survive all year but are most active during the summer. The warm weather provides the ideal circumstances for ticks to come in contact with humans and other warm-blooded creatures, who can provide these parasites with a full meal.

Most people associate ticks with hiking or camping trips, but these small insects can also live in your backyard and neighborhood. They thrive in tall grass and vegetation. It’s important to always be aware after having spent some time outdoors. Be sure to check your clothes and skin for ticks before returning home.

What Are Ticks?

With eight legs, these small blood-suckers are closely related to spiders. They are distinctive by their small size and flat, oval-shaped bodies. As they enjoy a meal, they grow in size. Ticks feed on the blood of birds, deer, dogs, humans, and other warm-blooded creatures.

Ticks go through four life stages: egg, larvae, nymph, and adult. After hatching from its egg, the small parasite needs blood to survive and grow. Most ticks die of starvation before moving on to the adult phase, but many make it to adulthood. Ticks can live up to three years.

Ticks live in shaded, grassy areas. When they find a host, they seek out a dark and hidden spot. Your armpits, scalp, between the legs, and behind the ears are all common places a tick might bunker down to find a decent meal.

Some of the most common North American ticks include:

American dog tick, also known as a wood tick
Black-legged tick, also known as a deer tick
Brown dog tick
Gulf Coast tick
Lone Star tick
Rocky Mountain wood tick
Western black-legged tick

Are Ticks Dangerous?

Ticks are known to carry and pass serious diseases. Not all ticks carry illnesses, but if you have recently been bitten by a tick and are experiencing chills, fever, headache, muscle aches, or other symptoms, you should seek medical attention.

Some of the most common tick-borne diseases in the U.S. include:

Lyme Disease
Babesiosis
Ehrlichiosis
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
And Others

Is it OK if a Tick Bites You?

If a tick bites you, you should remove the tick as soon as possible. But removing a tick is not always as simple as pulling the parasite off you. If the parasite is latched and feeding, you should be careful not to squeeze or crush the insect. Doing so can increase your likelihood of contracting an illness if the small insect is carrying one.

Proper tick removal is crucial to reduce the chances of tick-borne diseases. If you, a family member, or a pet has been bitten by a tick, follow these simple steps to remove the parasite:

Use small tweezers and grab the tick as close to the skin as possible.
Slowly pull the tick upward. Do not twist.
Once the tick is removed, clean the area with soap and water.
Flush the tick down the toilet.

Call Insight Pest Solutions Today for Professional Tick Control and Tick Prevention Services

At Insight, we can treat your yard and property for these small pests. Our process is simple; our tick exterminators will assess your property and its needs and form a plan to control ticks, including inspection, chemical applications, and follow-up services.

You don’t have to wear bug spray every time you walk in your yard. With our tick control service, you and your family can enjoy a backyard barbeque without fear that a tick might decide to choose you as its host.

Our professional pest control services will keep you, your family, and your pets safe. Our products and methods are completely safe and effective. Contact us today for more information about our professional tick pest control service.

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Tick 101: How to Identify, Remove, and Avoid These Small Parasites

What Are Ticks?

Are Ticks Dangerous?

Is it OK if a Tick Bites You?

Call Insight Pest Solutions Today for Professional Tick Control and Tick Prevention Services

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