Tick Control In Arlington VA

What Do Ticks Look Like?

There are various types of ticks found in Arlington VA. Here are some characteristics of each that you can use to help identify what kind of tick you may have:

• Deer Ticks: Flat, oval-shaped bodies, orange-brown in color, 8 darker colored legs, 1/8” in length
• American Dog Ticks: Flat, oval-shaped bodies, brown/white/gray markings, 6 legs as larvae but 8 legs as adults, from 1/5” to 3/5” in length
• Brown Dog Ticks: Flat, oval-shaped bodies, brown in color but may appear a grayish-blue when engorged with blood, 6 legs as larvae but 8 legs as adults, 1/8” to 1/2” in length

What Ticks Can Be Found In Arlington VA?

Ticks are arachnids; as such, they are related to spiders, and adult ticks have eight legs. Most ticks have flat, oval-shaped bodies before feeding. After feeding, the tick’s body expands in a balloon-like manner. The two most commonly found species of ticks in Arlington VA are wood ticks and deer ticks. Deer ticks (also known as black-legged ticks) are a very small species of tick that are brownish-orange in color with darker legs. Wood ticks are dark brown in color, with silver or gray markings on their backs.

Ticks are very difficult to prevent, because they live and breed outside, and often are introduced onto properties by wild animals. Dealing with these pests can be tricky, but there are ways you can keep them away from your property and out of your home. You can eliminate nesting spots by keeping your lawn cut short, and by pruning or removing overgrown vegetation from your property. Keep ticks out of your home by checking yourself and pets for ticks before coming inside after spending time outdoors. Under the guidance of your veterinarian, you should also place your pets on a tick-preventative program.

When it comes to protecting yourself and your family from these disease-spreading pests, investing in a professional tick control plan for your home and property is essential. And that's where the pest control experts at Miche Pest Control come in! With our quality abatement services, we can protect your home and family from ticks all year round. To get started, call today or book online!

Identifying Ticks In Arlington

Ticks are generally a very small and fast-moving pest, able to scale your dog’s fur or your personal belongings without even being noticed. Here are three of the most common ticks in Arlington and how to identify them:

• Blacklegged tick. Otherwise known as the deer tick, this species is small, dark or reddish-brown, and oval-shaped. They are commonly associated with the spread of Lyme disease. 
• American dog tick. Slightly larger than the deer tick, the American dog tick is light brown in color and has four thin legs. 
• Lonestar tick. The largest of the three species, this tick is shaped like an apple seed and is dark brown with white markings on its back.

Though not all ticks are dangerous, they are an unwanted parasite nonetheless. At Miche Pest Control, we work with local property owners to provide reliable tick control during the season. With our methods of yard fogging and larvicide treatments, our tick control provides both immediate and lasting relief from ticks and works rain or shine. To learn more about these offerings, contact us today.

What Kinds Of Ticks In Arlington VA Carry Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease, like other zoonoses, is transmitted by a vector that picks up the pathogen during a blood meal from a vertebrate host. In Arlington VA, the spirochete bacterium that causes Lyme Disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, infects ticks - specifically blacklegged ticks (deer ticks), which then feed on a wide variety of birds, lizards, and mammals, including mice, deer, and humans.

Deer tick larvae hatch in midsummer, and acquire infection after feeding on an infected mouse or other small animal. Mice are unfortunately common in Arlington, and are known to be able to carry Lyme Disease. Larvae detach after several days of feeding, then molt into nymphs and enter a nearly year-long dormant stage. After another round of feeding, nymphs fall off and molt into adults, which prefer the blood of larger mammals. Tick larvae and nymphs acquire the disease while feeding, and can transmit their infection during subsequent feedings. People are most likely to contract Lyme disease from nymphs, since nymphs are highly likely to feed on humans, and are less likely to be noticed than adult ticks due to their smaller size.

A comprehensive approach to preventing tick-borne illness will incorporate treating for ticks, as well as a proactive rodent reduction program.

Are Ticks Dangerous?

Ticks are known to carry various diseases that can be fatal to both humans and pets. Some of these diseases include Lyme disease, human babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and canine Babesia. If you, your family, or your pet has been bitten by a tick, you should seek medical attention immediately to have the tick safely removed.

Guide To Avoiding Ticks In Arlington

Ticks are undoubtedly a threat to the residents of Arlington VA, however, there are certain precautionary measures that you can take to avoid ticks. One of the main things to remember is to stay out of tall grass, brush, and wooded areas. These are common areas where ticks hide. Stay in the center of trails when walking, hiking, running, etc. Also, you should always use insect repellent before participating in outdoor activities.

Implementing these precautionary measures can go a long way in keeping yourself protected from ticks, however, none of them are entirely effective on their own. The fact is the most reliable way to deal with tick activity is to call on the pest professionals. Miche Pest Control provides safe and effective tick control solutions that guarantee ongoing protection from these parasitic pests.