Do you know someone who has contracted a tick-borne disease? Many people do. In our modern day and age, tick-borne diseases are becoming more and more common. Some diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever often have lasting side effects that stick with people for life. If you are looking for ways to avoid potentially dangerous ticks around your Fort Worth property, here are eight effective prevention tips for you to use.
Common Ticks In Fort Worth and Their Dangers
Ticks are parasitic insects that require the blood of warm-blooded creatures to survive. Most often they prefer human blood over that of an animal.
Fort Worth, Texas, is home to a few species of ticks including lone star ticks, American dog ticks, and black-legged deer ticks. Although slightly different in appearance, each tick is different in their habits and the diseases they spreads. Here is what you should know about each.
- Lone star ticks are reddish-brown, and the females have a distinct white dot on the center of their back. These pests live in the southeastern and central states. Common diseases these ticks carry include ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and Southern tick-associated rash illness.
- American Dog Ticks are dark brown and have unique white patterns on their backsides. These pests are found east of the Rocky Mountains and around the Pacific Northwest. Common diseases these ticks carry include Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.
- Black-legged deer ticks are orange-brown, have a black spot on their back, and have dark-colored legs. These pests primarily live in the northeast, mid-Atlantic, southeastern, and north-central regions of the states. Common diseases these ticks carry include Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan encephalitis.
Where Do Ticks Live
Ticks do not live on their hosts. Instead, they live outside, usually within thick undergrowth. Tallgrass, dense foliage, and leaf piles are all common locations to find ticks. Avoid these areas as much as possible when spending time outdoors.
How Do Ticks Get On A Host
Ticks are incapable of flying, moving fast, and jumping high. These limitations leave ticks with limited options to transfer to a host. Most often, fleas climb up a piece of tall grass or leaf and wait for a human or animal to walk by. Once a potential host is close, they will then reach out their front two legs and transfer themselves on board.
Prevention Tips For Ticks
There are several ways to limit your exposure to ticks. Many methods deter ticks from properties. Here are eight effective tips you should try:
- Tuck your pant legs into your socks before venturing into nature.
- Apply insect repellent, especially on feet and legs.
- Wear light-colored clothing.
- Keep grass short.
- Remove piles of leaf litter and organic debris from the property.
- Address moisture issues around the property.
- Create a barrier between the grass of your lawn and taller grass around the property.
- Deter rodents and other wildlife from the property.
A Better Solution To Ticks
At the end of the day, your time is better spent doing other things, than preventing ticks around your property. To free up your time and solve your tick problem, trust the professionals at All-Safe Pest & Termite. With our year-round tick control services, you will be able to rest easy, knowing you are safe from the dangers ticks pose.
Reach out to our team today to find your solution to ticks, or for any questions you might have about our services.