Why Do I Need Tick Control?

In the summer months, ticks become a bothersome presence in many parts of the United States. While they don't cause itching or pain, they do pose a significant risk for multiple tick-borne diseases. Mosquito Squad can help you avoid the potential for these diseases by helping you avoid being bitten in the first place with our powerful tick control solutions.

Why Is Tick Control Important?

Ticks may not be at the top of your list of concerns this season - but, given the severity of the diseases they carry, perhaps they should be. Each of these diseases has its own unique set of symptoms and risks. Below is an extensive, but not exhaustive, list of common tick-borne illnesses:

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is commonly linked to the American dog tick, lone star tick, and brown dog tick. This serious illness is signaled by abrupt symptoms like high fever, vomiting, stomach pain, and muscle aches. One of the hallmark signs of RMSF is a rash that rapidly spreads across the body. This rash helps to distinguish it from other tick-borne illnesses. Without prompt treatment, this condition can become life-threatening.

Lyme Disease

The black-legged tick, also known as the deer tick, is the culprit for the spread of Lyme, the country's most prevalent tick-borne disease. Early symptoms often include a characteristic bullseye-shaped rash (in about 80% of symptomatic individuals), fever, fatigue, and joint pain. However, the effects of Lyme can persist long after the initial infection, with complications potentially affecting joints, nerves, and other body systems.

Ehrlichiosis

You can be infected by ehrlichiosis via a bite from a deer tick or lone star tick, and dogs are vulnerable to a canine strain spread by the brown dog tick. The disease begins with mild, flu-like symptoms that escalate in a handful of days. Nearly 60% of those infected require hospitalization. Although still relatively uncommon, ehrlichiosis cases have surged from around 200 annually in 2000 to over 2,000 by 2019. The disease is most prevalent in early summer (May to July) to September when more people spend time outdoors.

Alpha-gal Syndrome

Though not technically a disease, Alpha-gal syndrome is an immune response caused by the bite of the lone-star tick. It causes a severe allergic reaction to red meat and other mammal-based food products. Thus, management requires strict, lifelong dietary adjustments.

Early detection and prompt treatment are crucial for the effective management of most tick-borne diseases. If you have recently spent time in outdoor areas with a high prevalence of ticks and you think you may be experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, you should seek medical attention.

Where Are Ticks Most Often Found?

Ticks are often found in tall grass, dense brush, and wooded areas. They hide along the edges of lawns, gardens, and paths. Shaded and humid spots, like stone walls and woodpiles, are favorite hiding places. Ticks also thrive in overgrown vegetation and leaf litter, so keeping your yard well-maintained and avoiding these areas can help reduce your risk of tick exposure.

How Can Tick Control Help?

There are steps you can take at home to help mitigate the risk of disease transmission. In addition to keeping your yard well-maintained, you should clear yard debris promptly, clear out potential tick hiding spaces, and put up barriers around your property to discourage deer from coming near. When you spend time outside, help protect yourself with long sleeves and tick-repellent sprays, and make sure to perform a thorough tick check on yourself, pets, and children before you return indoors. Another precaution to take with pets is to keep them up to date with tick-prevention medication.

For the most effective defense against ticks, you can count on Mosquito Squad's tick control solutions. Our protective barrier treatment targets tick hotspots on your property and significantly reduces tick populations after each application. For continuous protection, our subscription plan ensures regular reapplications every three weeks. This will help to maintain a lower tick presence and minimize the threat of tick-borne illnesses.

Choose Mosquito Squad for Powerful Tick Control!

At Mosquito Squad, we're committed to your satisfaction, as evidenced by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Don't wait to take action against the risk of tick-borne disease. Contact us for a free quote by calling (434) 226-5530 or filling out our online contact form.