1. Tick Season Is Here, Are You Prepared?

MARCH 04 2022 /

Tick Season Is Here, Are You Prepared?

The list of tick-related diseases in the United States is scary to look at.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ticks are linked to the spread of anaplasmosis, babesiosis, borrelia mayonii, borrelia miyamotoi, bourbon virus, Colorado tick fever, ehrlichiosis, Heartland virus, Lyme disease, Powassan virus, rickettsiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Southern tick-associated rash illness, tick-borne relapsing fever, tularemia, and 364D rickettsiosis.

All of these come with a wide range of symptoms. Some symptoms can cause lifelong illness.

That is why every resident in the D.C. area should take the time to understand the threat of ticks and learn the simple steps that are required to reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases.

 

Conditions That Allow Ticks To Thrive In Spring

  • Ticks require a lot of moisture to survive. So it shouldn't be surprising that they love the spring in D.C. The wetter the weather is, the happier ticks will be.

  • Ticks love the warmth. While ticks can be active in 40-degree weather, they prefer temperatures between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. As it warms up, their activity increases.

  • In spring, ticks aren't the only creatures that become more active. And, since ticks use mammals as a vehicle to spread from one location to the next, spring is the perfect time for them to disperse throughout the region.

 

Steps Residents Can Take To Protect Against Ticks

Individual Protection

  • Refrain from going into areas that are ideal for ticks such as tall grass, bushes, and woodlands.

  • Wear bright colored clothing so you are able to see ticks as they crawl up your clothing in search of your skin.

  • It may look silly, but tucking your pant legs into your socks can make you less of a target for ticks.

  • Spray insect repellent on your feet and legs to make ticks fall off as they climb your clothing in search of your skin.

  • If you have pets, make sure they have veterinarian-prescribed tick products.

 

Tick Reduction

  • Keep your grass trimmed and leaves raked up.

  • Address areas of wetness and reduce shaded locations.

  • Put fences up and protect food sources in your yard to resist rodents, deer, and other wildlife that can bring ticks into your yard.

  • Remove bird feeders from outside recreational areas to prevent birds from bringing ticks into your yard.

  • Partner with a pest management professional to control tick habitats and to have routine treatments applied to reduce tick populations around your foundation perimeter.

If you have more questions about ticks or you'd like to schedule service, give us a call today.