The ticks are going to be bad this summer. Mild temperatures and high humidity levels year-round have created the perfect environment for tick populations to thrive. The unlucky few will even see tick infestations in their backyards!
Follow these tips to keep the growing tick problem at bay during the hot months:
Don the appropriate gear
Before you head out for a camping trip or walk in the woods, make sure everyone wears insect repellent and the right type of clothing. Both skin and clothes have to be sprayed with a repellent like DEET. Other insect repellents are fine as long as they contain para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone or lemon eucalyptus. Sprays with 0.5 percent permethrin can protect clothes and gear from ticks even after they’ve been washed.
Certain types of clothing are best suited for tick protection. Wear long, thick pants and hiking boots while you’re out on the trails. Go for a white, long-sleeved shirt or some other light color because the ticks will be easier to spot. Consider wearing a hat that not only shields your eyes from the sun but prevents ticks from getting in your hair.
Stay on the trails
Ticks thrive in the underbrush of wooded areas. They can easily hide in tall grass and leaf litter along the forest floor. Since ticks are small, people often don’t realize they’ve entered a location infested with ticks until they’re found all over the body. Established paths can even pose a threat, as ticks have been known to dwell just a few feet away. Walk in the middle of trails to avoid potential contact with a tick infestation.
Check your body for ticks
Ticks latch onto skin, clothes and camping equipment. Upon returning home from your trip, conduct a full-body scan to make sure you don’t accidentally carry ticks into the house. Comb through your hair, and check places where they can easily hide, such as the ears and between the legs. Change outfits, and throw your camping clothes in the dryer on high heat to kill off any ticks you might have missed.
It’s important to detect ticks before entering your home. They can transfer from one person or pet to the next, creating a tick problem throughout the entire household. One tick is all it takes to spread illnesses like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease.
Know the symptoms
Most ticks don’t carry a disease. At the very worst, a tick bite will leave behind some mild itchiness. However, everyone who spends time outdoors should know the signs associated with a tick problem. The most common symptoms of tick-borne illnesses include a fever and body aches. Visit a doctor right away if you experience these or other symptoms shortly after spending time in wooded areas.
Ticks are sneaky creatures that will find a way into your home. If you suspect a tick infestation, the exterminators at Excellence Pest Control can help. We can detect where ticks are hiding in the home and snuff them out with a specialized treatment plan. Book an appointment with us, and get rid of those ticks for good!