Ticks are dangerous pests that can have long-term effects on a person's health. Because of this, all Fort Worth residents should know how to protect themselves against ticks and reduce populations on their property.
The Types Of Ticks You Might Find In Fort Worth
Everyone should know about two types of ticks common to the Fort Worth area.
- Deer Ticks: While their preferred host is deer, they also feed on other mammals, including people. These ticks are about the size of a sesame seed, are brownish-orange, and have dark-colored legs that can help identify them from other species. This species is also referred to as the black-legged tick.
- Lone Star Ticks: This species prefers larger hosts like deer and dogs but will attach to rodents and other smaller mammals and people. Lone star ticks are reddish-brown but turn a gray color after feeding. Females can be identified by a single white spot on their backs, while males have a white line around the tip edge of their bodies.
The Diseases Ticks In Fort Worth Can Spread And Signs To Watch For
Many people already know that ticks are dangerous, but not many know how dangerous they are. Due to the diseases ticks carry, a tick bite can result in lifelong complications. Below, you can see the specific diseases associated with ticks in the area:
- Deer Ticks: Babesiosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, Borrelia mayonii diseases, Borrelia miyamotoi disease, and Lyme disease. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness.
- Lone Star Ticks: Ehrlichiosis, tularemia, southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy.
If a tick has bitten you, someone else, or a pet, you should remove it as quickly as possible and completely. It is always best to seek medical attention for a tick bite.
Practical Tick Prevention Tips For Fort Worth Hikers
Ticks don't fly or jump, but instead, they fall onto a passing host. Because ticks like to hide in tall grasses and other foliage, hikers can often fall victim to a tick bite. If you are someone that hikes or walks on footpaths, you should do the following to protect yourself:
- Wear long clothing.
- Tuck your socks into your pants.
- Inspect yourself and others for ticks after finishing your hike.
- Shower and inspect yourself for ticks again to be safe.
- If you find a tick, make sure to remove it entirely by using tweezers and grabbing it as close to the skin as possible.
Even if you don't take your pets hiking, you should talk with your veterinarian about tick preventatives.
The Best Way To Keep Ticks Away From Your Fort Worth Property
Because you already know that the diseases ticks carry are dangerous, you also know how important it is to make sure they aren't living on your property. The best way to keep ticks away is by working with All-Safe Pest & Termite.
Ticks are covered under our two residential pest control options:
- Safe Select Pest Control: A cost-effective plan to meet the needs of Texas homeowners, including exterior spider web removal, fire ant control, and rodent baiting.
- Protection Plus Pest & Termite Control: This plan includes the additional benefit of termite protection.
Our team of knowledgeable and experienced experts has the tools needed to reduce and eliminate tick populations on your Fort Worth property. Give us a call today at All-Safe Pest & Termite to learn how you can get started with the necessary services to keep you and your family safe.