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How To Keep The Ticks Away From Your Durham Property

Ticks are pretty gross. Would you agree? There is something not quite right about a bug that draws blood from you and grows several times its size. But this isn't the only reason Durham residents don't want ticks in their yards. Ticks can spread diseases, some of which are pretty scary. If ticks make you nervous, we hope to alleviate some of your nervousness today. There are ways to naturally reduce the number of ticks in your yard. Join us as we look at some important facts every Durham resident should know about ticks and tick control. We'll quickly examine tick-borne diseases and discuss how tick pest control in Durham works to mitigate the threat. If you need immediate assistance, navigate to our contact page and connect with us.

What Do Ticks In Durham Look Like?

Ticks are arachnids, which means they have eight legs. But ticks don't always have eight legs. Young ticks (called seed ticks) only have six legs. They grow an additional pair of legs as they mature into adult ticks, so it is sometimes difficult to identify a tick.

Another challenge with identifying ticks is that they're small. If you find a tiny tick on you, you may have trouble distinguishing that it is a tick, never mind figuring out if it is a black-legged tick, American dog tick, or brown dog tick.

It is easiest to identify a tick when it is engorged because it is swollen and large. It will also have a greyish blue coloration that is far more noticeable than the reddish brown and black coloration of the tick's body.

Three Ways To Identify A Tick Bite

Most of the time, you'll know you have a tick bite when you find an engorged tick attached to your skin. But what if you don't see that big, fat, gross tick on your skin? Is there a way to tell that you have been bitten by a tick? Yes. Here are three ways to identify a tick bite.

  1. Many insects can bite you. Most will cause a wound that is filled with fluid or puss. Some will cause an ulcer or a pustule. Tick bites don't look like any of these. You'll likely find a small, hard bump at the center if you have a tick bite.
  2. While ticks don't take humans as hosts, a tick is going to do what a tick is going to do. They're attracted to fur and hair, so they're most likely to bite your head, armpits, groin, or legs.
  3. There is often a rash associated with tick bites. Unfortunately, ticks aren't the only biting pests that cause rashes. But deer ticks can create a rash that is distinct from other pests. It looks like a bullseye. When you see a rash like this, seek medical attention immediately and tell your physician that you think a tick bit you.

Tick bites aren't always a source of concern. Not all ticks are infected with a disease, and the younger the tick, the less likely disease transmission will occur. If you find a little six-legged tick attached to your skin, there is a good chance you're their first meal. If so, the tick has not yet had an opportunity to contract a disease from an animal. Tick-borne diseases are zoonotic. Let's take a look at some diseases they spread.

The Diseases That Ticks Carry

Over the last two decades, Lyme disease has increased significantly and has caught the attention of news outlets. You've likely heard of this disease, which is spread by deer ticks (also called black-legged ticks). Lyme disease can cause chronic symptoms that last a lifetime if not treated properly. The good news is that black-legged ticks don't readily bite people. If you take minimal steps to protect yourself, such as spraying mosquito repellent on your legs before you go for a walk in the woods, you don't need to worry as much. 

Lyme disease isn't the only scary tick-borne disease out there. Ticks are associated with a long list of diseases.

  • Alpha-gal syndome (also referred to as red meat allergy) is a potentially chronic illness. It is associated with Lone Star ticks, but fortunately it is rare.  
  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a potentially deadly disease. It is most often spread by American dog ticks which prefer to bite dogs, not people. If you contract this disease, you are at risk, but you may just have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.
  • Ehrlichiosis is potentially deadly, but in most cases, it is not. Few people get this disease and symptoms are rarely severe. The primary concern with this disease is that it causes brain inflammation. If you experience a headache after getting a tick bite, seek medical assistance.
  • Babesiosis is commonly found in association with Lyme disease. As many as 20 percent of Lyme disease patients are also found to have babesiosis. It is also linked to anemia. The good news is that it is rare. But you should familialrize yourself with the symptoms, just in case.
  • Anaplasmosis is a concern, but you aren't likely to have a problem with anaplasmosis unless you're getting lots of bites and, if you are, you have other diseases to worry about more than this one.  

It is not good to have ticks always biting you, but disease transmission is not as common as you may have heard. You don't need to fear ticks. Our recommendation is to take simple tick control precautions on your property as well as when you are away from home. 

Tick Control In Durham By The Eco Man Pest Solutions

Our mission at The Eco Man Pest Solutions is to provide Durham residents with what you need to manage pest threats. In most cases, we handle pest problems for you. But we also provide recommendations that can help you address pests yourself. We mentioned that there are many natural ways to reduce ticks in your yard. The secret is wildlife control. Animals bring ticks into your yard. When you take steps to deter them, you will reduce the population of ticks around your home. Here are a few quick tips:

  • Manage trash. Animals are attracted to the scent of trash. Keep your bagged trash in covered containers. Get your trash to the curb weekly. Wash your receptacles if they start to have an odor. Effective trash management is at the heart of an effective wildlife and pest control plan.
  • Secure trash receptacles. Animals can knock your trash cans over. Along with managing your trash, secure your receptacles to prevent access.  
  • Pick up nuts. Many animals eat nuts. If you have trees that produce nuts, you'll provide a food source for animals. Stay on top of raking up nuts and disposing of them away from your exterior. 
  • Remove seeds. Many animals love seeds. When you hang bird feeders up, you won't attract only birds. Keep bird feeders far from your exterior walls and refrain from hanging them over areas of vegetation where ticks can hatch and develop.
  • Block access to structural voids. Animals sometimes get underneath structures. If you have an unprotected void underneath your deck, consider installing hardware cloth to keep animals out. When you install this protective material, insert it at least a foot into the ground to prevent animals from tunneling underneath. Hardware cloth can also help keep animals from getting under your shed and other outbuildings.
  • Keep rodents out of your home. Inspect the exterior of your home and use expanding foam or caulking material to seal gaps and holes. Some common troublespots you should inspect are around pipes, conduits, doors, and windows.  

You can greatly mitigate the health risks associated with ticks if you roll your sleeves up and apply natural tick prevention. In many cases, this is enough. But, when tick pressures in your yard are high, animals are difficult to control, or you want the greatest protection possible, it is best to contact The Eco Man Pest Solutions for tick control or wildlife control. We offer both. Our tick control treatments knock down adult ticks living on your property, which is like flicking a reset switch. One day you have ticks and the next day you don't. When you have year-round pest control, you'll have routine service visits and ongoing help with tick prevention and control. There is no better way to get rid of ticks in your yard.

Often, tick problems are associated with wildlife control issues. If you have animals living on your property or in your home, we can address these issues for you. We offer trapping services to humanely remove pest animals and rodent control services to address the rats and mice that can carry ticks into your home and spread them to every level. Outdoor tick spray isn't the only solution for ticks. The best control is a multi-pronged strategy that includes wildlife management and rodent control.

Contact us if you have questions about what we discussed today or you would like to request service. We look forward to helping you find the best solutions for your specific needs and pest concerns. Our goal is to guide you toward solutions that work for you and that provide effective pest control that is tough on pests and gentle on the environment.

Contact Our Technical Pest Pros Today!

Pest infestations require prompt attention to minimize threats to your well-being and safety. That's why our technical pest pro's act quickly to identify what you're experiencing and execute an eco-friendly treatment plan tailored to your needs. That's what we mean when we say, "It's not about the Bugs, it's about the "PEOPLE!"

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