Like most people, you probably don’t think about ticks until they become a problem; by that time, it’s often too late. While Ticks aren’t problematic for the structural integrity of your property, these pests can carry serious diseases such as Lyme disease, so it’s essential to protect yourself and your family from them. This blog post will discuss tips for keeping ticks off your property and away from your blood!
A Few Words About Ticks
Ticks are tiny, blood-sucking parasites that can carry several dangerous diseases. These problematic pests are obligate blood-feeders, meaning they can’t survive on any other food; Ticks will source their food from other mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Many people view them as a mere nuisance, and while that is the consensus, it’s not advisable to dismiss their presence altogether.
While their bites can cause minor irritation, they can also cause paralysis and pass-on diseases. Animals infested with Ticks can suffer from anemia, weight loss, and even death from their heavy blood consumption. In terms of disease, Lyme disease is the most well-known of these, but ticks can also transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and Tularemia. They can also affect livestock, such as Texas Cattle Fever, leading to significant financial losses for ranchers.
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States, with over 30,000 cases reported annually. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged or deer tick. The risk of Lyme disease is highest in the spring and summer when ticks are most active.
Most people with Lyme disease experience a bulls-eye rash, fever, headache, and fatigue. If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to serious health problems, including joint pain, heart problems, and neurological issues. Lyme disease and many other ailments are reasons enough to protect you and your family from the presence of ticks.
Tick Prevention for Covington Residents
Understanding how to avoid ticks in the woods is crucial, but what about home? While some lawn-lovers utilize chemical pesticides to keep ticks off their yards, natural tick repellents can also help protect your yard — and you. There are a few things Covington residents can do to keep ticks away from their property:
- Mow Your Lawn Regularly – Ticks like to hide in tall grass, so keeping your lawn trimmed will help reduce the tick population on your property.
- Remove Debris and Clutter – Ticks can also hide in leaves, wood, or other debris piles. Be sure to clean up any clutter around your property to reduce the number of places ticks can hide.
- Keep Your Yard Clean – Ticks are attracted to areas that offer them shelter and food. So be sure to keep your yard clean of food or water sources that might draw animals, such as pet food bowls, bird feeders, and standing water.
- Wood Chips or Gravel – Believe it or not, ticks don’t like to cross over open, dry spaces. If you have a garden or other landscaping features, consider adding wood chips or gravel around the perimeter to create a barrier that ticks can’t cross.
- Stack Wood Piles – Ticks like to live in wooded areas, so if you have a fire pit or wood-burning stove, stack your woodpiles away from your home. These black-legged pests like moist, wooded areas, so stacking the piles will help them dry out faster in the sun. Dry and bright conditions are not ideal for ticks.
- Use Plants – Several plants have natural repellent properties, such as lavender, Garlic, Sage, Beautyberry, and Mint. Incorporating these plants into your landscaping can help keep ticks away from your property, and they will look beautiful.
- Tick Eaters Are A Lifesaver – Chickens, guinea fowl, and other birds love to eat ticks. So if you have the space, consider adding a few animals to your property. They will help keep the tick population down, and you might even get some fresh eggs out of the deal, that is, if you don’t mind the farm setting.
- Check Pets – Pets can bring ticks into your home, so be sure to check them regularly and remove any ticks you find. Ticks will attach themselves to your pet to get a ride into your home, so keeping them off your animal will help reduce the number of ticks in your house. Remember, Ticks need blood to reproduce, so the female tick will drop off after feeding to lay eggs, which hatch into larvae. The larvae then climb onto a host, which could be you.
- Use Repellents – Covington residents can use repellents on their clothing, shoes, and gear when spending time outside. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label and reapply as needed.
- Wear Long Sleeves and Pants – When spending time in wooded areas, Covington residents should wear long sleeves and pants to prevent ticks from getting on their skin. Ticks hang out near the ground, so tucking your pants into your socks can also help keep them from getting inside your clothing.
In addition to taking these steps to prevent ticks on your property, you should also take care to avoid them when you are outside. Be sure to check your body and clothing for ticks when you come inside, and shower as soon as possible to remove any ticks that may be attached. If you find a tick, remove it immediately with tweezers, and be sure to clean the area with soap and water.
Tick Eradication For Covington, LA Residents
Ticks are small, parasitic creatures that can seriously threaten your health. Ticks can also cause anemia in animals and can transmit diseases to humans. Therefore, Covington residents need to take steps to prevent ticks on their property and avoid them when they are outdoors.
If you are concerned about ticks on your property or have found ticks on your body, even after taking measures to reduce their presence, contact TrueNature Pest Control. Our Covington pest control services can help you eliminate ticks and keep them away for good. We will work with you to create a customized plan that suits your needs and will get rid of any ticks on your property.
We are local and family-owned with over seven years of experience in the industry and are devoted to keeping homes pest-free. We offer a service guarantee, and our team of experts will work diligently to rid your property of ticks and other pests, or we will come back to take care of the problem for free. So don’tDon’t wait until it’s too late; call us today to schedule a free consultation.