Are You Ready For Mosquitoes And Ticks?

03/22/2017

Mosquitoes    Ticks   

The 2016/2017 winter was mild all the way from Maine to Florida. While it was nice to get a break from the long, deep cold and constant shoveling, that mild winter is going to make mosquitoes and ticks more of a threat this year. So, with mosquito and tick season right around the corner, here are some tips to help you, your family, and your pets stay safe.

4 Things Ticks Don't Want You To Know

• There are many diseases that ticks can transfer to humans but the worst is undoubtedly Lyme disease. There is, however, good news when it comes to contracting this disease. It can take 24 to 48 hours for Lyme disease to transfer from a tick to a host creature. So checking for ticks is one of the most important ways you can protect yourself this year.

• There is only one way for ticks to get onto you and bite your skin and that is to climb up. These bugs don't jump like fleas and they don't fly like mosquitoes. They are also not going to fall onto you from trees. That is a myth. What ticks do is climb up a piece of grass and wait with their front appendages out. When a host creature comes by, they cling onto it and climb up. For this reason, it is a good idea to avoid areas of tall grass, or to tuck your pants into your socks and spray your clothing with insect repellent.

• While we all know that ticks can ride into our homes on our pets, few make the connection between occasional mouse or rat sightings with an infestation of ticks. It is best to not have any of these pests in your home, but if you do have rodents, be aware that they can bring ticks into your home as easily as your pet.

• Deer ticks, which are the primary vector for Lyme disease, are incredibly small and are able to attach themselves to birds. If you have a bird feeder in your yard, you may be luring in more than beautiful fowl with colorful plumage.

The One Thing Mosquitoes Want You To Think

All of those mosquitoes would probably like you to believe that mosquito reduction services aren't going to protect you from mosquito-borne viruses. The truth is, Aedes mosquitoes, the mosquitoes most responsible for spreading Zika, West Nile, and other dangerous viruses, have a flight range of about 300 feet. That means, controlling mosquitoes in your yard CAN have an effect on your chances of getting these viruses--and for getting bites in general.

When ticks get into your home and mosquitoes come to bite you in your yard, be ready for them, with ongoing mosquito and tick services from American Pest.

Learn More About Our Mosquito And Tick Control Program!