With spring and summer upon us, you are likely spending more time outside than during the winter months. As great as the outdoors are at this time of year, not everything is as unassuming as it seems. Ticks, for example, begin to emerge as soon as temperatures remain consistently above freezing, and this spells trouble for our outdoor enjoyment. Unfortunately, ticks aren’t just a nuisance; they are a genuine threat to the health and happiness of those living in Massachusetts.

According to estimates, around 300,000 people are infected with Lyme disease every year, with most of the cases found in the Northeast. Only around 30,000 people are diagnosed with the disease every year, but the illness is notoriously difficult to diagnose, with only 1 in 10 cases being identified correctly. This disease can have long-term consequences, including nervous system and short-term memory issues, so it is important to stay aware of these pests. Fortunately, Lyme disease doesn’t transmit instantaneously. Ticks can latch on for days, and Lyme disease usually takes 24 to 48 hours to pass on to a host. For this reason, checking yourself or having someone else check for ticks on your body is incredibly important after you spend time outside. Should you discover a tick embedded in your skin, here are a few steps to ensure the tick is removed properly:

• Firstly, use a sanitized, fine-tipped pair of tweezers to grab the tick as close to the skin as possible.

• DO NOT YANK. Slowly and steadily, pull upward from the site of the bite with even pressure. If you yank, there is a good possibility that the tick’s head may remain embedded in your skin.

• Should the tick’s head stay in the skin, do your best to remove it. If most of the head remains embedded even after attempts to dislodge it, consult your doctor.

Instead of needing to take the tedious tick safety measures that are sometimes hard to stomach, consult Mosquito Squad for powerful Southwick tick control. We have the tools to ensure you are defended against ticks throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Mosquitoes are equally problematic around this time of year, and we have solutions for these insects, too.

Mosquito Squad is your source for Southwick mosquito control

Much like ticks, but with less frequency, mosquitoes are known to pass diseases to their victims on occasion. Further, their bites are incredibly annoying and will leave you with itchy, painful welts for days. Instead of misting yourself with chemicals, mist your yard instead with mosquito control that has led yard-defense efforts for nearly 20 years. Our barrier protection treatments are typically applied every 2 to 3 weeks and are guaranteed to deliver up to a 90% reduction in the mosquito population in your yard. You deserve to spend time outdoors without being assaulted by ticks and mosquitoes. Powerful Southwick tick control and Southwick mosquito control are available from Mosquito Squad of Springfield. Take the fight to these pests with trusted defense that is guaranteed to deliver. Give us a call at (413) 418-3359.