Tick Control
Tick populations and tick-borne diseases have been increasing at an alarming rate in the Northeastern part of the United States. Ticks are parasites that need to feed on the blood of an animal host to survive and reproduce. While many ticks feed on birds, mammals (including rodents, squirrels, skunks), reptiles and amphibians, some have a wider host range that includes people, pets and livestock. Ticks prefer moist, humid environments and thrive in yards where there is shade, tall grass and weeds, groundcover vegetation, leaf litter and overgrown landscape. Ticks can also be transported into less likely habitats and neighborhoods by birds, deer and rodents.
As different tick species spread across the country, they can bring with them dangerous diseases including: Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tularemia, Babesiosis, Powassan virus and others which can be transmitted to people, pets and livestock. For these reasons, tick control is becoming more important than ever. Contact us today to discuss and schedule our Tick Control treatment for your yard.
Ticks are most active in the warmer weather months of spring, summer and fall however they do not die off in the winter months, although activity is usually decreased with the colder temperatures. Our tick control treatments are customized to fit the current season and stage of the tick life cycle. Tick control treatments should begin in the spring when the temperatures begin warming up and the ticks are beginning to emerge and feed. Fall is also an often overlooked, but crucial, time to apply tick treatments to break the cycle and kill any remaining adults to prevent their egg laying the following spring. Reducing rodent host of ticks is another method to decreasing the tick population on your property. Ask your Yard Pest Dr. applicator about adding tick tubes to your application.
One of the best steps to prevent tick bites is doing frequent tick checks daily on family members and pets!
Ticks do not fly or jump, they typically grasp onto a passing host from ground cover, leaf litter or other lower tree or grass tip. After landing on a host, they tend to crawl up looking for a place to feed so thorough, entire body checks are extremely important. Tick bites are usually painless so most people will be unaware that they have an attached tick until it is discovered on the body.
One Time Event Service
Do you have an outdoor party or cookout coming up soon? When your family and friends talk about your party or event, the last thing you want them to remember is how they were bitten up by mosquitoes, ticks and other biting insects! The only thing that you want your guests to take away from your event is the memory of a great time so call us to schedule a treatment a few days before your event.
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HELPFUL TIPS FOR TICK REDUCTION:
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Keep grass cut to minimize shade and hydration for ticks
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Remove leaf litter, brush and weeds especially around lawn edges, decks, playscapes, stonewalls and wood piles
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Trim back tree branches and shrubs to increase sunlight and decrease the shade and moisture ticks prefer
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Keep wood piles and bird feeders away from people and pet frequented areas
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Consider products and treatment to eliminate tick hosts such as rodents and deer
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Avoid common tick infested areas such as tall grass, dense vegetation, shaded forest edges
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Wear long pants tucked into socks if frequenting these areas as well as light colors for easier detection
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Check pets when they come in from outdoors since they can bring ticks into the home
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Have a professional targeted barrier treatment applied to your yard
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Prevention and awareness is the best defense against reducing the tick population in your yard and the spread of tick-borne diseases.
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