The Best Way To Protect Yourself From Ticks In Plano

How much do you know about ticks? Are you aware that ticks are tiny arachnids that attach to the skin and draw blood? Do you know that ticks are not just a nuisance for pet owners in Plano, Texas? Do you know that ticks are connected to the spread of diseases that can present a serious threat to your health? The best way to protect yourself from ticks in Plano is to learn the answer to these and other important questions about ticks.

Some Ticks Prefer To Bite You

We have several tick species in our area, but most do not have a preference for human blood. The tick species that readily bite humans is the Lone Star tick. Those are the ticks that have a white dot on the back—though you're not likely to see a white dot when these ticks attach to you. Seed ticks of this species can attach to you in great numbers, and they won't look like much more than little specks on your skin. You can reduce contact with these ticks by reducing moisture around your home or by having routine treatments to your exterior. This will keep you from kneeling in a large group of these young ticks while you're working in your garden or landscaping.

Some Ticks Prefer To Bite Your Dog

Two tick species in Plano tend to target domesticated canines. They are the American dog tick and the brown dog tick. Of the two, the brown dog tick is decidedly worse because this species is the only species that can complete its entire lifecycle indoors. If you have a dog, it is important to take measures to prevent them from being exposed to ticks, and also from exposing you to ticks:

• Speak with your veterinarian and find out if a tick collar is the right choice for your dog and your family. While a tick collar won't give your dog 100 percent protection, it is definitely a good place to start.

• Do routine checks of your dog, paying close attention to the interior of the ears and between the toes. These are locations ticks tend to target. You can also feel for ticks on the skin as you pet your dog.

• If you do not have one, we recommend constructing an outdoor play area for your pooch. This will reduce wildlife traffic and resist tick distribution. It will also keep your dog contained and prevent exposure to ticks in your landscaping and in other places where ticks hide.

The Rodent Connection

When evaluating the risks that ticks present, consider the role mice and rats play in the distribution of ticks inside your home. You can have a problem with ticks even if you don't have a dog or a cat. A single mouse can have as many as 100 seed ticks on its body. If a family of mice takes up residence in your walls, you can routinely find ticks appearing in your home. If you're looking to protect yourself from ticks, you need to get control of rodent problems as well.

Be Aware Of The Risk

If you don't understand the medical risks that ticks present, you may not take steps to address ticks when they start to appear in your yard. According to the CDC, ticks are associated with: 

• Lyme disease

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever

• Ehrlichiosis

• Colorado tick fever

• Babesiosis

• Anaplasmosis

• Powassan disease

• Borrelia mayonii and miyamotoi

• Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis

• Tularemia

• Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI)

• And more.

These diseases come with many acute and/or chronic symptoms. Some can be fatal to certain at-risk members of our population. It is important to consider the risk and take the necessary steps to prevent tick-borne illness.

Personal Protection

There are many ways you can avoid tick bites. Here are a few tips we commonly offer:

• Apply mosquito repellent to your legs and feet when you go outside.

• Avoid walking in tall grass.

• Keep the exterior of your home dry by cleaning your gutters, making repairs to your gutter system, and by repairing plumbing leaks.

• Remove leaves and organic debris from around your home.

• Do routine checks for ticks and properly remove them when you find them. Early removal can prevent the transmission of disease.

Professional Tick Management 

At All-Safe Pest & Termite, we offer pest control services that work to help control tick populations around the exterior of homes in the Plano area. We also provide rodent control when needed. If you have questions or you'd like to request service, connect with us. While we specialize in termite control, our licensed pest professionals are experienced with the control of a wide range of common pests in our area, including tick species. We can help you protect your health, and the health of your pets, from tick-borne diseases.