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When it comes to avoiding ticks, there are a few misperceptions concerning how they attach onto prey. Ticks are flightless bugs, they neither have wings, nor do they jump. They also do not climb trees and then fall onto the heads of unsuspecting victims. Ticks hunt for prey by climbing tall grass and then latching onto creatures as they brush past. Ticks tend to prey on ground creatures, specifically mice and deer, which make up a majority of their meals. To better avoid ticks when walking through tall grass areas, tuck your pant legs into your socks or boots, and tuck your shirt into your pants. Always thoroughly check for ticks after trekking through tick territory. Ticks begin to be active when temperatures exceed a mere 45 degrees. Also keep in mind that when a tick bites, you won’t feel it like a mosquito bite or most other bug bites. Ticks secrete a mild pain killer making them go largely unnoticed when they first attach, and also keeping them from all but visual detection while feeding. Unlike mosquitoes, ticks don’t just bite and then move on. In general, ticks will feed on a single host for days at a time if undiscovered. The best way to combat ticks is through use of Mosquito Squad’s trademark barrier sprays which will both kill and repel ticks at your property in Orland Park, IL.
In conjunction with our barrier sprays, and when treating areas in which ticks are especially active, our specialists utilize “tick tubes”. Tick tubes are designed to employ mice, creatures which are most often the original sources of disease and one of the tick’s primary sources of food. The tick tubes are placed in strategic locations around your property in Orland Park and contain an EPA registered insecticide treated cotton that is specifically targeted to eliminate ticks. After collecting the cotton, the mice return to their nest, spreading the insecticide. The insecticide coats the mice’s fur, killing any ticks that the mice later come in contact with.
Unlike mosquitoes, ticks don’t just bite and then move on. It is important to deal with ticks as quickly as possible as they tend to feed on a single host for hours, days, or even weeks. The longer a tick feeds on a host, the greater chance that the tick will transmit a disease. To safely remove a tick from your body you can use a tick remover, or a pair of sanitized tweezers. Start by firmly gripping the head of the tick with the tweezers, then pull straight up. To ensure successful tick removal, try to avoid twisting or jerking. If the mouth parts of the tick rip apart in the process just use the tweezers to remove the rest of the tick. Then clean and sanitize the bite area, as well as your hands. After removing a tick it is important to dispose of it correctly, never crush a tick with your hands. Dispose of it by putting it in a sealed bag or container, or submersing it in alcohol. Avoid ‘home remedies’ like applying heat, nail polish, or any other substance in an attempt to get the tick to detach. If you find a tick, don’t wait for it to finish its meal, removing it should be priority number one.
Humans are not the sole target for ticks however, they also tend to prey upon family pets, specifically dogs. When your dog or other pet goes outdoors, a tick could easily latch onto them, catching a ride right through your front door and into your home. It is important to check your pets for ticks after being outside. You should always check for ticks on dogs when you get home from a walk in the park, or even around the neighborhood. If you have pets that enjoy the outdoors, it is especially important to have a tick control plan in place for your home in Orland Park, IL. If left to feed, ticks can infect your pets with many of the same diseases that humans are susceptible to. Lyme disease in dogs is not uncommon, but Heartworm is most dangerous when it comes to dogs. Don’t wait for a tick to infect your dog or endanger your home, contact Mosquito Squad of Chicago to setup your plan for proactive protection throughout the season.
For professional tick and mosquito control, give us a call at (630) 556-8315 or contact us online today.
If you are not fully satisfied with your Mosquito Control or Misting System, contact your Mosquito Squad office and we will make it right!
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