What Are the Chances of Getting Lyme Disease from a Tick Bite?

If you live in the local Grand Rapids area, you have probably noticed that the temperature is beginning to heat up. As a result, you need to check yourself for ticks, particularly if you have spent a lot of time in an area where the grass is tall. Fortunately, getting bitten by a tick is relatively unusual; however, they can transmit a serious disease called Lyme disease. What exactly is Lyme disease? What are the chances of catching Lyme disease if you have been bitten by a tick? There are several important points you need to keep in mind.

What Causes Lyme Disease?

Ticks themselves do not actually make Lyme disease. Instead, they acquire this infection when they bite another animal that already has it. Then, if an infected tick bites you, it can transmit the infection to you as well. Lyme disease is actually a bacteria that is spread to humans by ticks. This type of bacterial infection is called a spirochete. A spirochete is a spiral-shaped bacteria that leads to a serious reaction that could be fatal.

For this reason, Lyme disease always has to be taken seriously. When people think about Lyme disease, they usually envision a bull's-eye rash. Even though this is the hallmark symptom of Lyme disease, it is not always present. Furthermore, it can hide underneath your hair, making it difficult to spot.

Will I Get Lyme Disease if Bitten by a Tick?

There is a chance that you can get Lyme disease if you are bitten by a tick. The vast majority of ticks prefer to live in wooded areas or low-lying grasslands, such as yards.

Not all ticks carry Lyme disease bacteria. Specifically, they are carried by the black-legged deer tick which is commonly found in the northeastern, Mid-Atlantic, and North Central United States. They are also carried by the Western black-legged tick, which is only found in the Pacific Coastal US. In some locations, less than 1 percent of the ticks in that area may actually have Lyme disease. In other places, close to half of the ticks could be infected. It depends on the local area.

What Diseases Can a Tick Carry?

There are a variety of serious diseases that ticks can carry. In addition to Lyme disease, text can also transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Colorado tick fever, Ehrlichiosis, tularemia, encephalitis, and relapsing fever. Even though most of these infections are highly unusual in the local area, all of them can lead to serious symptoms, placing someone in the hospital. That is why you need to work with an exterminator who understands how to get rid of ticks from your home or office. That is where our team can assist you.

Contact Mosquito Squad of Grand Rapids for the Best Tick Control

If you are concerned about ticks in your local area, then you need to call Mosquito Squad of Grand Rapids. At Mosquito Squad of Grand Rapids, we provide natural mosquito treatment and tick treatment. We can help you get rid of ticks and mosquitoes from your backyard using exceptional mosquito control services. We also offer kid safe mosquito control, getting rid of ticks and mosquitoes from your property. If you would like to learn more about how we can assist you, please contact us today at (616) 920-8069!