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Pest Control Survival Guide: Protect Yourself Against Ticks

YESpestpros • May 28, 2017

For many of us here in southern Indiana, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer. We’re hosting backyard cookouts, and our kids are playing in the sprinklers. We’re able to spend longer hours outdoors and enjoy the sunshine.

One thing to be on the lookout for while we’re outside, though, is disease-carrying pests such as mosquitoes and ticks. In our last post, we gave you some tips on using various plants in your yard and garden to help prevent mosquitoes. Today, we’re sharing tips on how to avoid ticks.

Why should I be on the lookout for ticks?

Although small, ticks can be carriers of diseases such as Lyme Disease, Mountain Spotted Fever, and Ehrlichiosis. They can not only pose a risk for disease transmission to our four-legged friends, but to humans as well. This may seem pretty scary, but remember that the chances of contracting a disease from a tick is pretty slim. So, while it’s not necessary to be afraid of ticks, it is necessary to be informed and be sure to follow a few simple guidelines to reduce your chances of contracting any diseases carried by ticks.

What can I do to avoid ticks this summer?

Check yourself for ticks.

Just spending a few minutes checking your head, body, and gear for ticks when you leave the woods can be incredibly beneficial. The sooner you are able to remove an attached tick, the less likely it is to transmit any diseases to you. For example, a tick carrying Lyme Disease has to be attached for 24 hours before it can begin to transmit the disease to you.

Check your pets for ticks, or use flea and tick repellent on them.

Just as it’s important to check yourself for ticks, be sure to check your pets as well. Cats are usually pretty good at removing their own ticks, but these ticks can then make their way on to you. Dogs, on the other hand, have a harder time grooming themselves and will need extra attention when it comes to removing ticks.

Wear appropriate clothing and insect repellent.

If a tick has a hard time finding uncovered skin to latch onto, it is less likely to stick around. Wear a hat or bandana, long pants, and long sleeves. Using insect repellent can also help keep ticks, mosquitoes, and other pests away.

What if I find a tick attached to me?

If you find a tick attached to your skin, the CDC recommends using fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. When the tick is removed, clean the area with rubbing alcohol, or soap and water. Dispose of a live tick by flushing them down the toilet or submersing them in alcohol. Never try to crush a tick with your hand.

How can I prevent ticks from nesting in my yard?

YES Pest Pros pest control experts have years of experience in tick management and pest control, and are ready to help get tick infestations under control. Outdoors, areas that may be tick habitats will be treated thoroughly with products specially designed to kill ticks and prevent infestation of fleas, ticks, ants and other pests.

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