Is there anything worse than coming inside and finding a tick latched onto your skin? Just the thought of having to pull it out is bad enough. Add the fact that it could be carrying any number of dangerous diseases–and the experience gets much worse. If you don’t know much about ticks, but know you hate seeing them around your San Antonio property, we are here to help. Here are the answers to some common tick questions residents in our area ask.
At what time of year are ticks the worst?
Tick season changes by the year and mostly depends on when the weather warms up during spring and cools down in late fall. Due to our short winter and warmer weather this year, tick season started early in April and looks to continue well into fall. We should mention that here in Texas, tick season isn’t just when ticks are active but when they are most active. Because our climate is generally warmer, ticks are year-round and do not fully go away during the winter months.
Do ticks jump on you?
Ticks are similar to fleas in many ways, except they cannot jump. Instead, to get onto a host, ticks will climb up tall grass and hold out their front legs and wait for a person or animal to pass by. This is why many recommend avoiding tall grass and thick undergrowth when trying to stay away from ticks.
Are ticks dangerous?
Ticks are among the most dangerous pests here in North America, not because of their bites, but because of the many diseases they can spread through them. If you know anyone who has or has had Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, or any other tick-borne disease; you already know how dangerous and life-changing these pests can be.
What should I do if I find a tick on myself?
If you find a tick latched onto your skin, do not try to pull it out with your fingers. Use a pair of tweezers and grip it as close to your skin as possible. Once you have a good grip, pull slowly until the head is removed from beneath your skin. As an added precaution, store the tick inside an airtight plastic bag in the freezer. This will give doctors a vector to study in case you show symptoms of tick diseases.
How do I know if a tick has bitten me?
Most often, you will notice the tick that bit you before it detaches. If you do not notice it before it detaches, you might find a small red welt or growing rash after it is gone. If symptoms of sickness present themselves after you are bitten by a tick, seek medical attention immediately.
How do I prevent ticks?
There are two different facets to preventing ticks. The first is learning how to avoid them and what methods work best to keep them off your skin. The second is to implement strategies around your property to deter ticks from settling down nearby. To start, here is everything you need to know to keep ticks off your body.
- Avoid walking through tall grass or dense foliage.
- Wear lighter colored clothing that fully covers your arms and legs.
- Tuck your pant legs into your socks.
- Apply insect repellent to your body, especially your legs and feet, before going for walks in potentially tick-infested areas.
To reduce tick populations on your property, let the professionals at Romney Pest Control lend a helping hand. We will apply lasting and effective treatments in areas ticks breed and congregate that will greatly reduce your chances of dealing with these dangerous pests around your yard.
Give our team a call today if you have questions or to schedule a service visit for your San Antonio property.
