If you are a pet owner, you are familiar with ticks and the issues they can cause. But even if you don’t own pets, you should be aware of ticks. Read on to learn more about ticks, the problems they can cause, and how pest control in Aiken can help keep these potentially dangerous pests out of your yard.
What Exactly Is A Tick
While they may not look exactly alike, ticks in Aiken are closely related to spiders. They have eight legs and depending on the species of tick, can vary in color. Here are some of the common ticks in Aiken and how to identify them:
- Deer tick: Also known as the black-legged tick. The deer tick is reddish-orange and has a black shield on its back and black legs. The deer tick is most closely associated with Lyme disease.
- Lone star ticks: You can identify the female lone star ticks by a white dot in the middle of their back, and both males and females are brown. They are associated with ehrlichiosis and tularemia.
- American dog tick: These ticks have a dark brown body with mottled white spots on their back and are known to cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.
- Brown dog tick: The brown dog tick is narrower than most ticks and is reddish brown. Dogs are the primary host for this tick, but it is known to transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever to people.
If you have any questions about ticks or need help identifying the species of tick in your yard, call us today and let one of our pest control experts get to the bottom of your tick problem.
Do Ticks In Aiken Bite?
All species of ticks found in Aiken bite; this is the primary feeding mechanism for ticks. They latch onto your skin, or your pet's skin, when you pass by. Once they are attached, they feed on the blood of their host.
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if a tick has bitten you. The easiest way to determine if you have suffered a tick bite is to find the pest still attached. If that isn’t the case, there are other signs of a tick bite, such as a small red bump or an itchy red area. Fever, chills, muscle pain, and headaches may follow as well as fatigue. A red, circular rash that develops after the bite and looks like a bulls-eye is a telltale marker for a tick bite.
Tick bites can be difficult to diagnose because everyone reacts differently, and sometimes the symptoms don’t show right away. If you have any questions, contact a medical professional immediately.
Four Little-Known Facts About Ticks
These tiny pests can be a scary mystery. For example, did you know that ticks aren’t insects? That’s right; they are arachnids. Here are four more little-known facts about ticks:
- Ticks use their black legs to clasp onto humans or other passing animals.
- Ticks can remain attached to your skin for days at a time.
- Despite their reputation, ticks cannot jump, run, or fly.
- Some species of tick larvae can survive almost two years without food.
For more information about ticks, contact Aiken Pest Control.
What Can I Do To Remove Ticks From My Property For Good?
If you want to get rid of ticks around your property, there are some steps you can take, like keeping your grass cut short and eliminating areas of waste where ticks can hide. Also, it is wise to use a veterinarian-recommended tick treatment on your pets.
Along with these steps, you need professional tick control from our trained technicians at Aiken Pest Control. We will develop a home pest control plan to keep you and your beloved pets free of ticks and other pests in Aiken.