Maryland Homeowners' Guide To Effective Tick Control

Finding a tick attached is disgusting and alarming and can cause significant concerns for you and your loved ones. Ticks enter your Maryland home on dogs, humans, cats, and other rodents. They are known for being very small and hard to see, so if you've been in tick habitat, it's essential to take precautionary measures to ensure you maintain healthy and safe. Contact the Maryland pest control experts immediately if you suspect a tick problem.

What Are Ticks?

Ticks are predatory pest that feeds on the blood of animals and humans. Ticks fall into the arachnid classification rather than insects based on their oval-shaped bodies, eight legs, and specific biological functions. There are typically four types of ticks found in Maryland, including: 

• Black-legged tick

• Brown dog tick

• Lone star tick 

• American dog tick 

Even though each tick species varies in shape, size, and color, they are easily identified as a tick when they latched onto the skin of an animal or human. For a tick to survive, it will burrow their heads into flesh to access human or animal nutrients that they need to stay. 

The Dangerous Diseases Ticks Are Known To Spread

Ticks can cause significant danger to you and your family in your Maryland home. They can cause severe illnesses such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. While not all ticks spread diseases, it's always best to protect yourself against tick bites if possible. Tick saliva can cause numerous diseases and may require medical attention for proper and effective treatment. Some other conditions a tick bite can cause include anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Colorado tick fever, Powassan encephalitis, tularemia, ehrlichiosis, and relapsing fever.

While you've probably heard the first sign of Lyme disease is an oval red "bullseye" rash found on the body, it's essential to keep an eye out for other symptoms that may be cause for concern, including: 

• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Aches and pains in muscles and joints
• Low-grade fever and chills
• Fatigue
• Poor appetite
• Swollen glands
• Neurological symptoms
• Heart problems
• Eye problems, such as inflammation 

If you get bit by a tick, the good news is that your healthcare provider will work with you to figure out the best treatment for you.

Five No-Sweat Tips To Prevent Tick Bites While Outdoors

There's no reason to stay locked up in your house in fear of getting bit by a tick. These five tips will help you stay safe while you're outdoors:

1. Apply insect repellent that contains DEET to all exposed skin below the neck. Be sure to reapply every few hours. 
2. Spray permethrin repellent on your clothing and shoes to kill ticks on contact. Make sure it does not get sprayed on your skin, and ensure it thoroughly dries on your clothing before putting them on.
3. The most important prevention method is a scalp and full-body tick check. Do this on your children, yourself, and your pets when coming inside to allow you to find and remove ticks before they are fully embedded and attached. 
4. Take a shower immediately after being outdoors in a high-risk area and dislodge ticks before they are attached. 
5. Throw your clothes in the dryer, as dry heat will kill any ticks in your clothing. 

The Best Way To Keep Ticks Away From Your Home And Yard

Removing ticks from your Maryland property can be difficult once they're embedded. Ticks typically cause a chronic tick infestation yearly due to certain environmental factors. 

The most effective method of tick control includes the help of a professional pest control expert. This process cannot be done using a DIY product and needs the benefit of our professionals at Miche Pest Control. Our team will be happy to review our process with you and schedule an initial visitation date to inspect the property. Once we have recorded the scope and size of the infestation, our team will begin regular abatement and mitigation treatments as soon as possible. Contact us online, over the phone, or in person.