Ticks are common pests found throughout North America that rely solely on blood as their source of nutrition. Ticks find their blood source through animals and humans and will feast whenever they are given the opportunity. There are important factors we should consider about ticks to help us stay safe and protected when visiting the outdoors.
Ticks are found in various habitats including forests, shrubs, grassy areas, and even urban environments. Ticks thrive in areas with a large population of animals and prefer to live in places that experience more humidity. This makes the Pacific Northwest a great place for them to live.
One common misconception about ticks is that they jump or fly to attach to their host. Ticks do not have wings and have a difficult time jumping far distances. Most commonly, ticks will climb onto a branch or nearby vegetation and wait for something to brush past them. They will then crawl onto the animal or person and begin searching for their food. Ticks will generally find themselves inside your home when they are unintentionally brought inside.
After spending time outdoors, hiking through dense shrubs or forests, it is important to perform a thorough tick inspection. Some hot spots for ticks include the scalp, underarms, and behind the knees. If you find a tick attached to your skin, use a pair of tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible. Gently pull in an upward motion with a steady pressure. Ticks start to puncture the skin of their heads. When removing them, it is important to make sure the head comes out of the skin. Clean the area with an antiseptic afterward.
Aside from yourself, it is also important to inspect any children and animals for ticks. When it comes to preventing ticks from attaching to your animals, you can use pet-friendly tick-prevention products. On top of this, it is vital to check their fur for any signs of ticks.
Ticks are known to transmit various diseases, however, not all ticks are infected, and not all tick bites can lead to a disease. Some diseases include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and more. Prompt removal of ticks can help reduce the spread of diseases and infection.
It is best to avoid ticks from entering your home or attaching to your body by wearing protective clothing. Some preventative measures you can take are staying on designated trails. When walking through shrubs and highly vegetated areas, ticks will be in closer proximity and more likely to attach to you or your animal. You can also consider wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants. This will prevent the tick from finding an area to stick to.
Our flea-mosquito-tick treatment here at Insight Pest Solutions, assures that your backyard is free of ticks and is a safe area to relax and enjoy the outdoors. By signing up today, you can ensure that your property is a safe place for kids and animals to explore.
