Frisco, TX, is one of the best cities around the DFW metro area, but we’re not the only ones who think so. Ticks are also big fans of Frisco, and that means we’re exposed to tick activity and at risk of contracting tick-borne illnesses. First things first, though, we need to be able to identify these bloodsuckers.
Common Ticks In Frisco
Although the specifics can vary between species, most ticks can be identified by a few key characteristics. They are always small in size, ranging from a tiny poppy seed to a hefty apple seed. They have eight legs and their coloration can be anywhere from light-reddish brown to dark black. After a tick is finished feeding on its host’s blood, it becomes enlarged and can be swollen up to the size of a marble. Some of the most common tick species in Northern Texas include:
- American dog ticks
- Black-legged ticks
- Brown dog ticks
- Lone star ticks
Most ticks live outside, waiting for a suitable host to come by. They usually hide out in tall grass, wooded paths, and densely vegetated areas like leaf piles and shrubbery. They access their food source by latching onto a host. Once they’ve chosen a host, they insert their mouthparts into the skin of their prey and slowly ingest the prey's blood.
What To Know About Tick Bites
A tick bite tends to appear as a small red spot, sometimes with a dark center (indicating the tick is still attached), and sometimes with just the bite itself left behind. The nature and appearance of the bite can vary between species. Lyme disease-related ticks, for example, can cause a noticeable bull’s eye rash. Tick bites themselves are relatively painless, but they carry the danger of tick-borne illnesses. When an infected tick bites you, you are exposed to a long list of serious diseases, such as:
- Anaplasmosis
- B. miyamotoi disease
- Babesiosis
- Bourbon virus
- Chikungunya
- Colorado tick fever
- Dengue
- Ehrlichiosis
- Encephalitis
- Heartland virus
- Lyme disease
- Malaria
- Powassan virus
These are serious health conditions that should be avoided at all costs. The good news is that not every single tick bite is guaranteed to lead to disease. You’re only in danger if you’re bitten by an infected tick that has already contracted the disease elsewhere. If the tick is infected, however, you need to be careful.
You should be concerned about the bite if you begin to develop flu-like symptoms, a widespread rash, or swelling and redness of the skin. If you experience any of these signs, it’s crucial to seek medical attention right away.
Reducing The Risk Of Tick Bites
While it’s true that not all tick bites result in disease, you still need to be careful in reducing your exposure to these pests. If you want to get serious about your tick-prevention efforts, here are some useful suggestions:
- Check everyone (including pets) for any ticks after being outside.
- Deter wildlife hosts from your yard.
- Shower promptly after spending time outdoors.
- Stay out of tall grass, brush, and wooded areas.
- Treat your clothing with, or buy clothing pre-treated with, permethrin.
- Tumble dry your clothing on high heat for 10 minutes to kill off any ticks after being outdoors.
- Use insect repellents before participating in outdoor activities.
- Stay in the center of trails when walking, hiking, running, etc.
While all of the tips mentioned above are certainly helpful in your tick prevention efforts, it’s important to remember that none of these methods is totally reliable or effective. The best thing you can do to protect yourself from ticks is to schedule regular service visits from the pest professionals.
How All-Safe Pest & Termite Can Help
Contact the team at All-Safe Pest & Termite for additional advice or assistance. Our pest experts know all things tick-related and we’re ready to serve you with comprehensive tick control and prevention solutions. Protect your property and your loved ones from these disease-spreading pests. Don’t hesitate to seek out help from the professionals. Call us today to schedule your free inspection.