No bug bites are particularly fun, but the worst ones are those that can pose greater health risks thanks to diseases that pests can carry. Ticks are some of the nastiest pests around in terms of health risks, so learning how you can spot the signs of worsening symptoms and, more importantly, reduce your exposure to ticks around your property, will help keep you safe.
Common Ticks & The Dangers They Pose
First and foremost, you need to know some of the common ticks in the area to tell them apart from other tiny pests like fleas or bed bugs. Here are some of the most common species in Texas:
- Deer Tick: Also called black-legged ticks, the females of this species pose the highest likelihood of transmitting Lyme Disease, which carries serious symptoms.
- Dog Tick: While they tend to go after pets around the house because they offer more fur to hide in than humans, brown dog ticks can bite people and other animals, too. Dog ticks are most known for spreading Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
- Lone Star Tick: While it sounds remarkably Texan, this tick gets its name from the single, white or yellow dot found on their tops. This species of tick spreads ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and Heartland virus among others.
How To Address Tick Bites
Now, just because you get bit by a tick doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re automatically contaminated with some sort of sickness. Plenty of people survive tick bites every year, and even those who contract worsening symptoms can usually make a full recovery thanks to modern medicine. But still, it’s better to avoid the risk altogether, right? That’s why you should constantly be on the lookout for signs of ticks in and around your property because they can hitchhike from one place to the next by clinging to hair, clothing, and skin. Here are some helpful ways to reduce your risk of introducing ticks to your property:
- Pet inspection: Check your pets thoroughly before letting them back indoors.
- Personal protection: Cover yourself up with long sleeves and pants when going on hikes or working out in the garden. Some topical creams, sprays, and treated garments have been known to ward off ticks.
- Professional treatment: If you do spot ticks, don’t waste time or money on DIY methods. Instead, contact professionals right away, before the population grows and poses larger health dangers.
If you do find yourself with a tick remove it promptly with fine-point tweezers. Do not jerk or twist and do your best to not puncture or squeeze the tick body as you remove it. It's important to keep a close eye out for warning signs in the days and weeks following a tick bite.
Spotting Worsening Symptoms
Now, just because people take preventative measures doesn’t mean a tick bite can’t happen. That’s why everyone needs to be able to spot the following warning signs:
- Rash: One of the first signs of worsening symptoms is a spreading rash that’s not contained to the area of the bite. If you notice the affected area begin to grow, it can be a sign of infection or allergic reaction.
- Fever/chills: It can take days for the first indicators of sickness to set in, so be sure to take note of any sudden fever or chills and seek medical attention immediately, as this can be a sign of Lyme disease.
- Joint aches: Lyme disease is known for its joint aching and swelling of the lymph nodes. This is a serious and advanced symptom that should be acted on quickly.
If you notice any symptoms following a tick bite it is important to seek medical attention right away.
Stay Safe With Professional Tick Control
The best way to avoid ticks and the harmful bites they dish out is by partnering with pest professionals who know all the ways to fully reduce your risk. At All-Safe Pest & Termite, we know that early prevention isn’t always enough, so we make sure to help property owners with addressing potential problem areas in and around their structures. If tick populations crop up, only experts can fully root them all out and make sure that they don’t return. Get started today by scheduling an inspection with one of our friendly technicians, who can determine what sort of pest control is needed on your property.
Don’t risk exposure to dangerous ticks or other parasites, contact All-Safe Pest & Termite today.