A Heads-Up For Bristow, VA Residents: It’s Tick Season

The environment is full of bugs and microscopic organisms. Their presence creates an ecological balance which is important for all living beings. Just like Mufasa told Simba in The Lion King, they are all part of “the great circle of life.”

However, when it comes to our interactions with bugs, some of them are beneficial while others are harmful. For instance, butterflies help to pollinate flowers and this leads to the development of fruit. Others are harmful and cause diseases to both animals and human beings. Ticks are one example of bugs that can be quite harmful in Prince William County. If you’ve noticed some in your yard, it’s time to take action. Here’s why…

There are many things you need to know about ticks, the most important being that ticks are dangerous. But why are they so dangerous? What is it about ticks that makes them a serious threat for illness both in our pets and in us? It has mostly to do with how resilient ticks are. The diseases that can be deadly to humans aren’t deadly to ticks. So ticks are able to carry them and transmit them. It also has to do with how ticks come into contact with us. They are blood-eating bugs and when they feed on us, diseases can be transmitted directly into our blood. That is really bad. Blood goes into every nook and cranny of our bodies.  Read more at Modern Pest Control…

Yep, don’t underestimate the potential damage that ticks can cause in your body. Some of the diseases can even be fatal.

If you’re wondering which stage of ticks is most harmful, that’s a good question. Are adult ticks more dangerous than their young?

Nymph ticks are most active now, and they’re most likely to transmit infections to humans

A single tick will progress through four stages of development in its lifetime: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. The nymph tick is most active in the spring through the summer months, and it’s about the size of a poppy seed.

And they don’t pack less of a punch because of their size. Nymph ticks are actually the most likely to transmit Lyme disease or another tick-borne infection to humans than ticks at other stages, according to the CDC.

Less than two millimeters in size, nymphs can bite people and remain virtually undetected. They also burrow into your or your pet’s skin.

Although adult ticks may also transmit Lyme disease, they’re much larger, so you’re more likely to see them and promptly remove them. Read more at Healthline…

It makes perfect sense to be careful about nymph ticks since they are so hard to see. But this doesn’t mean you should be any less wary of adult ticks simply because they are visible.

So, what can you do to avoid the diseases caused by ticks? Basic preventive measures such as the ones described in this post can prove to be helpful:

Now that you know some of the diseases ticks harbor, what can you do to prevent being on the receiving end of one of their bites? We’ve put together a few tips to help you avoid ticks while still enjoying your time outdoors.

1. Protect Yourself. Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and closed-toed shoes when you are outdoors, especially in the woods or tall grass. Wear light-colored clothes as these make ticks easier to spot on your clothes. Use insect repellent when you are outdoors and make sure it contains at least 20% DEET.

2. Eliminate Their Habitat. Ticks like to hide in tall grass and shrubbery. Make sure to keep your grass cut low and remove weeds, debris, and woodpiles from your yard.

3. Check Yourself Carefully. It typically takes a tick 24-48 hours before they successfully transmit infections to humans. Check yourself immediately after spending time outdoors. Be thorough when you check – make sure to check creases and wrinkles and even your hair.

4. Don’t Forget Your Pets. Animals can pick up ticks from being outdoors also. Check your pets frequently, especially after they have been outside. Wash their bedding and toys frequently. Make sure to use tick prevention as directed by your vet, as well. Read more at Best Insect House…

Prompt action could just be what you need to keep the harmful effects of ticks at bay. But you’re going to need more of a proactive strategy than a reactive one.

At Backyard Bug Patrol, we have put together a tick control plan that eliminates tick populations anywhere within your premises. We will barrier spray your yard for prolonged safety. Call us today!