There are not a lot of things more unsettling than finding a tick embedded in your skin. These arachnids are kind of like the land version of leeches and just as disturbing. Unfortunately, ticks come with an increased risk of the diseases they spread through their bites. Find out more about the ticks in Frisco, the diseases they spread, and how calling a professional for pest control in Frisco can save you some major headaches.
The Types Of Ticks Found In Frisco
While tick species vary throughout the country, there are generally only four different kinds of ticks in Frisco, including:
- American Dog Ticks: These ticks are brown with white or gray markings and hard exterior shells. When they bite, they spread bacteria that cause diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
- Lone Star Ticks: Aptly named, these ticks are reddish-brown, and the females have a single silvery-white spot on their backs. They can also spread various diseases.
- Brown Dog Ticks: Again, the name says it all; these ticks are brown and are commonly found on dogs. However, they will bite humans if they cannot find a canine host.
- Blacklegged Ticks: These ticks are also called deer ticks or bear ticks. They transmit a wide variety of diseases, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, human babesiosis, and Powassan encephalitis.
Regardless of the species, it’s important to get rid of ticks on your Frisco property and the professionals at All-Safe Pest & Termite can help.
The Dangerous Diseases Ticks Are Known To Spread
Not only are tick bites unsettling, but the diseases they transmit can be debilitating.
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: This bacterial disease is spread through the bite of an infected tick and results in a fever, headache, and rash. If not treated early, R.M.S.F. can be fatal.
- Lyme Disease: Early diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease is also essential but can be difficult as the symptoms are vague and include headache, stiffness, joint pain, and sometimes a characteristic bullseye rash.
- Anaplasmosis: Signs of anaplasmosis usually develop one or two weeks after the bite from an infected tick and include fever, headache, muscle aches, and nausea. Again, this disease can become severe if untreated and lead to respiratory failure.
- Human Babesiosis: Many people do not experience symptoms of these infections, while others have flu-like symptoms. This disease is more serious for those with other underlying health issues.
- Powassan Encephalitis: While rare, cases of this virus have increased in recent years. There is no medication to treat it, and approximately half of the people who survive a severe case develop long-term health problems.
To protect yourself from these and other tick-borne diseases, contact the professionals at All-Safe Pest & Termite to get rid of tick populations on your property.
Five No-Sweat Tips To Prevent Tick Bites While Outdoors
While you can use professional services to minimize your exposure to ticks on your property, there’s no telling how many ticks you’ll encounter when traveling outside your property line. Try these five tips to avoid ticks and protect yourself from their bites:
- Wear tick repellant.
- Use a tick preventive on pets.
- Stay out of areas with long grass.
- Check yourself and your pets for ticks when coming in from outdoors.
- Wear long pants and socks when traveling in wooded areas.
Tick bites carry significant risk. Take the time to use these preventative measures to protect yourself and your pets.
The Best Way To Keep Ticks Away From Your Home And Yard
There are some steps you can take for natural tick prevention such as keeping your lawn mowed and landscaping trimmed. You can also put a natural barrier of stone between wooded areas and your lawn to discourage ticks from coming onto your property. However, the very best way to keep ticks away is with help from All-Safe Pest & Termite. Our experienced pest control professionals can use the latest tick treatments and strategies to safeguard your property. Call today to get started.