Why Is Tick Control So Important?

Ticks are not just obnoxious pests; they are actually classified as parasites. These little blood-suckers are notorious for latching onto an unsuspecting host and going undetected for days or weeks at a time. Any time of year when the temperature is consistently above 45 degrees Fahrenheit, ticks can be active above-ground. What’s worse is that ticks can hitch a ride into your home and live there undetected for numerous days, weeks, or months.

Ticks will victimize humans and animals alike, spreading disease from host to host. Though there are hundreds of tick species, the good news is only a handful are capable of transmitting disease to humans. Of utmost concern in the U.S. are the blacklegged tick (more commonly known as the “deer tick”), the Lone Star tick, and the dog tick. 

Tick-Borne Disease in Humans

Lyme Disease is a common disease spread by the blacklegged tick, or “deer tick.” This is an illness that affects both humans and animals and can cause a long list of undesirable symptoms. In fact, Lyme Disease affects more than 475,000 Americans annually. Early symptoms of Lyme Disease can include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Fatigue 
• Muscle and joint pain and aches
• Swollen lymph nodes or rash

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a bacterial disease transmitted by the dog tick, often accompanied by a fever, headache, and rash. This is one of the deadliest illnesses transmitted by ticks in North America.

Southern-Tick Associated Rash Illness is caused by a lone star tick bite and results in a “bulls-eye” shaped lesion, general skin irritation, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, and fever. 

Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS) is another serious illness linked to the bite of a lone star tick. This potentially life-threatening condition causes a spontaneous allergy to red meat in humans, with symptoms arising after the consumption of such meat. Symptoms appear 2-6 hours after consuming red meat and include:

• Hives or itchy rash
• Nausea or vomiting
• Heartburn or indigestion
• Diarrhea
• Cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
• Drop in blood pressure
• Swelling of the lips, throat, tongue, or eyelids
• Dizziness or faintness
• Severe stomach pain

These illnesses are among just a few diseases transmitted by North American ticks. Controlling the tick population in your outdoor space is nothing short of essential to the health and well-being of your family members, including your pets.

Tick-Borne Illness in Pets

Not only are ticks dangerous to human health, but many of the same diseases that negatively impact our well-being do the same to our pets. 

Lyme Disease is, again, the most commonly spread disease that can be transmitted from animal-to-human, human-to-animal, human-to-human, or animal-to-animal. In dogs, Lyme Disease is caused by the black-legged tick and the symptoms appear as fever, lameness, limping, joint pain/swelling, enlargement of lymph nodes, and lethargy. In the most severe cases, Lyme Disease can progress to fatal kidney disease.

Canine Ehrlichiosis is a serious tick-borne illness caused by the brown dog tick, Lone Star tick, and the black-legged (“deer”) tick. Symptoms of ehrlichiosis in dogs include fever, lack of appetite, nose bleeds, and bruising or anemia due to low blood platelets. If identified quickly, recovery time is short, but if symptoms go untreated for long periods of time, pets will advance to the chronic phase and have a much longer road to recovery.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can affect both dogs and humans as well. The American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, and brown deer tick are common carriers of this disease. Canine symptoms include fever, poor appetite, swollen lymph nodes, and joint pain.

Mosquito Squad’s Tick Control Solutions

The good news is Mosquito Squad’s professionals are ready to help you tackle your tick problems today! Our tick control services include a barrier spray treatment that helps mitigate tick populations and prevent reproduction. We also offer a tick tube treatment, which can be an effective add-on solution if your property has a significant tick problem. Another available add-on includes our yard defender package, which is a granular treatment that defends against ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, and mound-building ants. The technicians from Mosquito Squad of Springfield are available to provide more information and help you decide which tick control option is best for your home’s needs, so get in touch with us today.