The weather is getting warmer! That’s right, summer is quickly approaching which, for us Kentuckians, means swimming in the pool, hiking in the great outdoors, and barbecuing in the backyard. There’s no doubt about it, summertime in Lexington is a magical time.
The thing with ticks is they can latch onto you without you knowing, and given their propensity to spread disease, that is the last thing you want. The good news is, with just a few simple prevention tips and techniques, you can decrease your chances of being bitten by a tick. That way you can spend your summer enjoying the weather, not worrying about ticks.
What You Ought To Know About Ticks
There are three species of ticks that you may encounter in Lexington and the surrounding areas. These are deer ticks, American dog ticks, and brown dog ticks.
Ticks tend to be smaller than a ¼ of an inch in length. They have eight legs, biting mouth parts, and they tend to be black and/or brown in color. One interesting feature of ticks is that their bodies are flat before feeding but will plump up afterward.
Ticks do not have wings and they cannot jump. The only way for a tick to attach to you is for it to latch on as you brush up against it. That’s why you should always check your and your pet’s body for ticks after hikes or playing in high grass. In addition to this, wearing long sleeves and long pants tucked into your socks is a great way to protect yourself from ticks while enjoying the great outdoors.
Are Ticks Dangerous?
Unfortunately, ticks can be quite dangerous. Because they feed on the blood of humans and other mammals, as well as birds, ticks are known to spread a multitude of diseases. The diseases that ticks may spread include, but are not limited to, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, Alpha-Gal (red meat) allergy, ehrlichiosis, and Powassan virus.
How To Keep Ticks Away From Your Home
Given the laundry list of diseases that ticks are known to spread, knowing and utilizing a few techniques that make your property less attractive to them goes a long way in protecting you and your family.
Some of the best ways to keeps ticks away from your yard and home are to:
- Keep grass well trimmed to eliminate hiding places for ticks.
- Clean any leaf litter and brush from around your home.
- Keep woodpiles away from the exterior of your home.
- Keep surrounding wooded areas trimmed back from your yard.
- Always keep garbage in tightly-sealed bins.
- Keep any exterior plant beds well-manicured and away from your home.
- Keep any clothes hanging on clotheslines from touching the ground or vegetation.
If you can follow these simple techniques, you will greatly reduce your chances of a tick bite on your property.
The Best Way To Deal With Ticks On Your Property
While utilizing the above tips will be very beneficial to reducing your risk of any tick bites, the best way to keep your property safe from ticks is to contact the professionals here at Action Pest Control. We’ll help you identify and remedy any problem areas around your home so that you only have to worry about how you’re going to spend your summer and not worry about ticks in Lexington.