Ticks are a really common pest found through out the United States. They wont be found in your house, but they may be in your yard or a nearby wooded area. Ticks latch on to the host and feed off the host’s (cat, dog, human, etc…) blood. One of the concerns with ticks are the diseases that can be contracted by a tick bite; Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Ehrlichiosis are a few tick-borne diseases.

There’s no need to avoid the outdoors; with some prevention and careful attention, you can reduce the chances of being bitten and becoming infected with a tick-bourne disease.

Here are a few ways to protect yourself from ticks:

• Wear light colored clothing – this helps to spot the ticks before they bite
• Use insect repellent with 20-30% DEET (What is DEET?)
• Wear long pants and tuck your pants into your socks – this makes it even more difficult for the ticks to get to you
• Enjoy the outdoors but know where you may find ticks – ticks live in grassy/wooded areas as well as moist and humid environments – staying on trails helps to avoid any contact with ticks that may be on plants
• Check yourself daily for ticks – remember ticks enjoy warm areas such as armpits, behind the knees and even in the belly button
• Use monthly flea and tick medicine on your pets (cats and dogs)
• Pesticides are sometimes an option, contact your local pest control company

Bitten by a tick?

Related posts:

1. Ticks Commonly Found in California Ticks feed off the blood of other animals, and can...
2. What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Why Is It Important? Integrated Pest Management, commonly referred to as IPM, is...
3. What a Professional Termite Inspector Does for You Hiring a professional pest control company is a worthwhile...
4. Skunks in California and What to Do With Them Pepé Le Pew is one of the most beloved...
5. Can Fruit Flies Carry Diseases? It is not uncommon to occasionally see a fruit...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.