As spring approaches, we all feel the excitement of getting back outside, spending time in the yard, hiking, and walking our dogs. While spring brings warmer weather, it also marks the return of ticks. Tick bites spread diseases that are dangerous for people and our four-legged friends.
We frequently find ticks in wooded areas or places with overgrown vegetation. Spending time in these areas increases the chances of a bite. If you get a bite, proper tick removal is essential. We’ll explain what to do if a tick bites you or your pet and when to be concerned.
Yakima County pest control companies can help you deal with the ticks on your property. Continue reading to learn more about the kinds of ticks we find in our area, the dangers they expose our family and pets to, and how Prosite can help.
Is This A Tick?
Ticks are small, flat, parasitic pests that feed on the blood of their host. Here are the different kinds of ticks found in our area and some tips on identifying them:
- The American dog tick is brown with white or gray markings and prefers dogs as their host.
- Brown dog ticks are reddish-brown when unfed and grey-blue when engorged, and they will infest homes.
- The Rocky Mountian wood tick is brown and becomes gray when engorged. They feed on medium to large hosts, including deer and people.
- Western blacklegged ticks are orange with dark legs. They feed on wild animals and often attach and feed on people.
At Prosite, we recommend using tick protection methods whenever you or your pets are outdoors.
Is Every Tick Bite Dangerous?
Identifying the type of tick you have can help you determine the level of danger they pose. The following list details the most serious diseases each species may carry and spread via tick bites:
- American dog tick- Tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tick paralysis.
- Brown dog tick- Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Boutonneuse fever, canine ehrlichiosis, and canine Babesia.
- Rocky Mountian wood tick- Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, tularemia, and tick paralysis.
- The Western blacklegged tick- Lyme disease and relapsing fever.
Working with a tick control company in Yakima County, like Prosite, can help protect your family and pets from dangerous diseases.
What Do I Do If Bitten By A Tick?
Tick control is essential to keeping your family and pets safe, but even the best preventative measures sometimes fail. If you find a tick on a person or pet, there are safe ways to take them off.
Proper tick removal is essential. Use fine-tip tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and pull them up with even, steady pressure. Take care to wash your hands and the bite thoroughly. You may want to save the tick in a crush-proof container if symptoms develop and you need medical attention.
Tick protection is critical when spending time in wooded areas or long grasses. Speak with your veterinarian for the best ways to protect your pets that go outside.
Let The Professionals Tick-Proof Your Yard
A professional tick control company in Yakima County can help keep ticks away from your yard. Because of the many potential diseases these pests can spread, tick control is essential to protect your home and family.
At Prosite, we take ticks seriously. Applying tick control treatments can reduce tick activity in your yard, and we can also suggest some natural ways to reduce ticks on your property. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do to help reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases.