If you are a nature lover, then you most likely have your own story about ticks. Maybe you found one on your neck after a long hike and wondered how it got up so high without you noticing. Maybe you found multiple ticks on your legs after a long walk in the woods. You may have even had to deal with ticks on your furry friends. Whatever your stories are, we are sure they all share one thing in common, a dislike for ticks! If you are done worrying about ticks being around your Augusta yard, we are here today to help. Here is everything you need to know.
How Common Are Ticks?
Ticks are one of the more common types of pests here in Maine mostly because of their ability to withstand colder temperatures. Some deer ticks have been found in the dead of winter, still moving about. Combine this with Maine’s vast wildernesses and wildlife populations and you can begin to understand how ticks could be such a big problem.
Are Ticks Dangerous?
Just like many other blood-sucking pests, ticks can be quite dangerous. In the same way that an infected needle can get you sick, ticks passively get people sick with their tainted suckers. If a tick bites an animal that is carrying Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, they then hold the capability of spreading Lyme disease to anyone they bite in the future. This same thing is true for a number of other diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tularemia, and Ehrlichiosis.
One thing doctors recommend with ticks is to store them in a plastic bag if you find one latched onto your skin. This way, if you get sick, you can bring the tick into the doctor’s office so they can test it for potential diseases. This, specifically, makes finding the right treatment much easier.
How Ticks Get Around
Ticks are not very mobile creatures. They cannot run very fast, they do not have wings to fly with, and their legs are not strong enough to jump. This makes them have to work a little harder to get around. The main thing ticks do to get from place to place is climb up grass and other plant growth and wait for potential rides to come along. Once they are high up, they will plant their hind legs and extend their front legs attempting to cling on any creature that passes by. This could be a dog, a deer, a mouse, or any other four or two-legged creature. Once aboard they will travel and even feed until they feel it is time to get off.
Interesting Fact: Ticks on average live on three different hosts in their lifetime.
Tick Prevention Tips
If you dislike having ticks around, here are some prevention tips to keep them off you and away from your property.
Tips For You
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Tuck your pants into your socks if you plan on hiking or traveling on foot outside.
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Wear lighter colored clothing when outside.
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Use insect repellant if you plan on being outside for an extended period of time.
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Avoid walking through areas with tall grass or thick foliage.
Tips For Your Property
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Keep your grass trimmed short.
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Regularly have your bushes and other greenery maintained.
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Remove clutter such as leaf litter, woodpiles, and toys.
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Create a 3-5 foot barrier of gravel or wood chips around recreational areas.
A Better Way To Keep Ticks Off Your Property
If you are looking for an easier and more reliable way to keep ticks off your property, the professionals here at Bug Busterzzz Pest Control are here to help. With our annual tick treatments, you won’t have to worry about being bitten by ticks on your property. Don’t wait to find your freedom from blood-sucking ticks. Give us a call today and let us find the best pest solution for your Augusta home.
