Ticks are a Danger to both Humans and Pets

As the warmer months return, so do a variety of pests that can be very troublesome to both humans and our pets. One of these pests is ticks. There are two common kinds of ticks found in the Southeast region: the Brown Dog Tick and the American Dog Tick, and while ticks can easily be removed from your pet, an infestation in your home is much harder to handle. The adult female tick can lay clusters of 1,000 to 3,000 eggs, and these egg clusters can usually be found in homes around baseboards, window and door casings, curtains, furniture and the edges of rugs. Sometimes ticks will even climb the walls and lay their eggs in the crevices of crown molding, leaving you with a floor to ceiling problem.
Here are a few facts about ticks to keep you informed:

• Ticks are not insects and are closely related to the spider. Adult ticks have eight legs. Their life cycle is divided into four stages: egg, larva, nymph and adult. All ticks feed on blood during some or all stages in their lifecycle.
• Ticks can transmit Lyme disease. Though mostly found in New England states as it is transmitted primarily by the deer tick, there have been cases of Lyme disease in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas. Sportsmen and people who work outdoors may encounter the tick that carries Lyme disease.
• Although cats are rarely infested, the most common indoor tick on dogs is the brown dog tick. This tick may transmit diseases to dogs such as canine ehrlichiosis and babesiosis.
• Outdoors, ticks hide near foundations of buildings, in crevices of siding, or beneath the porch.
• The American dog tick may carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and other diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people. Dogs are not affected by these diseases, but people have become infected through contact with these ticks.

Our Pest Control program identifies and removes even the most stubborn pest challenges and then through regular service we keep pests out of your home.  If pests return at any time, we’ll come back at no charge to eliminate the problem.  CLICK HERE to schedule a free inspection.