Among the insects that worry us and creep people out are ticks. These super tiny bugs sneak into animal fur, clothing, and onto human skin. They quietly latch on and suck blood. If that wasn’t scary enough, they can transfer over 15 diseases, infections, and viruses. With ticks, it’s true that big things come in small packages.
Given this risk, it’s important to get an understanding of these critters. Since there was a mild winter, the upcoming tick season will be especially rough. New York home and business owners need to know what kinds of ticks are common in the area and what they look like. Most of all, residents should know how to avoid and prevent them. Get the gist of these tick facts, and learn how Parkway Pest Services can help.
What Ticks Are Common in New York?
American dog ticks are also known as wood ticks. They range in size from 9/64 to 13/64 of an inch long. Females can swell to 19/32 of a inch when they’re full of blood. All have four pairs of legs.
Adult deer ticks are brown or red-brown with eight black legs. They are about the same size as their American dog tick counterparts. However, their females can reach 25/64 of an inch when filled. They get their name because they tend to feed on deer and other livestock. They have no problems sucking on domestic animals and humans though.
Lone star ticks have white spots or streaks on their bodies. The females have a distinct, circular mark on their backs. Adults have eight legs. As other related species, they too nibble on humans, pets, livestock, and wild animals.
If nothing else, you should know where ticks come from and specifically what threats they pose:
Where they come from: These insects will find you or your pets while you’re in a wooded, grassy, or animal-populated area. Spaces that are particularly humid and shady are breeding grounds for ticks.
What threats they pose: While their bites are usually painless, ticks can spread some nasty diseases. These include Colorado tick fever, tularemia, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and the Powassan and Heartland viruses. Some of these conditions can be fatal, so seek medical attention if you’ve been bitten.
How Can You Prevent Ticks?
- Taking these steps will make tick bites less likely for you and any pets you have:
- Regularly groom and trim your lawn, and keep it debris free.
- Check your clothes, skin, and pets after being outdoors or in places ticks exist.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, high socks, pants, and boots in tick-sensitive locations.
- Use tick repellent products.
- Consult with your pet’s veterinarian about tick prevention.
- Routinely groom your pets and animals.
- Call Parkway Pest Services if you have issues with other critters ticks can feed on.
What Can Parkway Pest Services Do About Ticks?
Parkway Pest Services will do a thorough inspection and properly identify the kind of ticks present. This will enable us to select and implement a specially designed treatment. We want to make sure that anything we do will be 100% effective and long-lasting. Our trained technicians have the expertise to analyze the situation at hand and properly use products. All of our items and devices will be safe for you and your animals. We guarantee it.
Before we leave your property, we’ll provide you with information on how to avoid a tick resurgence. We’ll tell you how to turn things around and better guard yourself in the future. Get these blood suckers gone! Contact us today!