Here in North Texas, there are dozens of reasons to get outside. There are many parks, hiking and walking trails, and places to take your kids and pets to spend quality time together, enjoying nature. Unfortunately, spending this time outside can also lead to exposure to ticks. A very serious pest problem, ticks, remind us all of the importance of pest control in North Texas. Tick bites can be extremely harmful to both you and your pets, causing ongoing, chronic health issues. The good news is that with proper pest control and an understanding of how ticks operate, you and your family can get back to spending time outside worry-free. Read on to learn about the dangers of tick bites and how Adam’s Exterminating Company can help keep your yard pest-free today!
What Does A Tick Bite Look Like?
While there are many different kinds of ticks in North Texas, their bites will all look the same, making it easier to identify if you have been bitten by one.
Below are some of the signs and symptoms of a tick bite:
- Bullseye pattern: This is perhaps the trademark sign of a tick bite. If you see a large, red ring on your skin, with a red dot in the center, this is a sure-fire sign that a tick has bitten you, and you need to seek medical treatment.
- Rash: A red rash is a common sign of a tick bite.
- Itchiness: Because ticks can bite you anywhere on your body, if you start to notice you are itchy (especially in a spot on your body you can’t see, such as your back), it could be a sign that a tick has bitten you.
- Red bump: The site of the bite usually has a red bump.
If you are unsure if the bite you have is from a tick, it would be wise to seek a professional medical opinion, even more so if you are experiencing symptoms unique to a tick bite, such as the bullseye pattern.
What Diseases Can Ticks Transmit?
Ticks are small and don’t cause damage to our properties and yards, so some people wonder why professional tick protection and control are necessary. However, professional pest control in North Texas for ticks is incredibly important because many different kinds of ticks call North Texas home, and all of them can spread harmful diseases to people and their pets.
Below are some of the diseases they can transmit:
- Ehrlichiosis: This is a common tick-borne illness, and symptoms usually include fever, chills, a severe headache, muscle aches, and sometimes confusion.
- Lyme Disease: Perhaps the most well-known of the tick-borne illnesses, Lyme can cause severe and chronic joint pain, along with neurological issues such as meningitis and Bell’s palsy. It is important to note that both you and your pets can contract this disease, and symptoms such as chronic joint pain and fatigue can persist and stay with you long after you have been infected, even for years.
- Anaplasmosis: While this is a curable disease, if not treated fast enough, anaplasmosis is fatal. Symptoms include chills, shaking, a fever, and muscle aches.
- Babesiosis: It is possible to be asymptomatic upon contracting this disease; however, if you do experience symptoms, you may think you have the flu. Symptoms include fever, chills, sweating, headache, body aches, nausea, and loss of appetite. Doctors will give you the same antiparasitics that one would need to take to recover from malaria.
We cannot emphasize enough the importance of professional tick protection and tick prevention for your home. These are only a handful of the diseases these parasites can pass onto you and your family, and all of them are devastating in their own way.
How Long Do Ticks Live?
Different tick species experience different lifestyles; however, the average lifespan of an individual tick can be up to three years. While entomologists generally agree on that fact, there is a lot of debate on how long a tick can live without receiving a blood meal (feeding on a host, such as a person or animal, and drinking their blood). Some say that a tick can live up to two years without a meal, and others suggest they can only survive for up to 24 hours before dying. Regardless of which group of scientists are correct, the fact that ticks can live up to three years with regular blood meals is one of the many reasons tick prevention is necessary to live a healthy life.
Is There A Permanent Solution For Ticks On My Property?
Here at Adam’s Exterminating Company, we are a fourth-generation, family owned and operated business specializing in tick prevention and extermination. Since 1947, we have been learning about the North Texas area pests to understand their habits and patterns, enabling us to design proven formulas for permanent extermination. Our expert technicians have the skills and tools required to safely and effectively remove ticks from your yard. They will also help you implement prevention strategies to ensure they do not return or latch onto you while you are out and about. We understand how important it is for you, your family, and your pets to live a full, happy life while enjoying the outdoors. Let us help you achieve that. Call us today and get started on our effective home pest control and commercial pest control services.