Tick control

Ticks are arachnids, which puts them into the same class as spiders and other eight-legged creepy-crawlers. They are very small, with most species barely bigger than the head of a pin, and they feed entirely on blood in order grow and reproduce. They are insidious pests, latching on to animals like deer, mice, rats, squirrels, birds, dogs, cats - and humans.

Ticks are notorious pests known for the diseases that they carry and transmit. The most famous of those is Lyme disease, which can have crippling lifelong symptoms.

Western Exterminator local tick prevention professionals will determine if you have a tick infestation, stop it, and help you prevent ticks from returning. You just need to call us at 800-937-8398 or use the online form to schedule an appointment.

Most common tick species in U.S.

The common species of ticks found in the U.S. include:

• Deer ticks - which are the common carriers of Lyme Disease

• American dog ticks

• Rocky mountain wood tick - carriers of the dangerous Rocky mountain spotted fever

• Gulf coast tick

• Brown dog tick

• Lone star tick

Tick-borne diseases

There are several diseases ticks carry and can transmit to humans or other animals. Common diseases are:

• Lyme disease

• Rocky mountain spotted fever

• Colorado tick fever

• Typhus - various forms are known to be from ticks

• Tick paralysis

Tick behavior and biology

Ticks go through several life stages and each stage involves feasting on blood. When an adult tick reaches its final stage, it climbs to the top of a tall blade of grass or other vegetation and extend its two front legs in a method known as questing. 

Ticks can detect body heat and body odors associated with warm blooded creatures that it requires for food purposes. When a suitable host brushes against them tiny hooks on their front legs latch on and they then crawl around to find a suitable spot to cut a hole in the skin and start to feed. 

Ticks are small and usually black or brown in color.

Where can you find ticks?

The western black legged tick is found in the midwest and some western regions  United States and even as far as British Columbia and even in some parts of Mexico. This tick aside from the American dog tick is probably the most well known tick in North America, ranging in most of the midwest of the Unites States as well as California. The Rocky mountain tick, according to the CDC, is regional to the Nevada, Idaho, Oregon and Washington regions. Most ticks live outdoors on logs, high grass, woodpiles, deserts and even beaches. However, brown dog ticks are known to thrive indoors, but can also thrive outdoors as well.

How do pets get ticks?

Your pet is a part of your family, and like any member of your family, you want your pet to live a full and healthy life. Taking your dog out for walks, and interacting with other pets in the neighborhood or dog park while normal and healthy, will only attract pests like ticks to feast on your dog. Ticks are also well known to be Lyme disease carriers and can carry a lot of other bacteria as well, so it's important to stay keep you and your pet protected.

• Being outside - a simple trip to the vet or a dog park is enough for ticks to feast on your pet.

• Your garden - if you have a garden that attracts pests, you may want to consider tick repelling plants, or use products for your plants to ward of ticks

• Other animals - your pet can get ticks from just being around other animals like raccoons, squirrels, and even rodents

Tick eggs

Tick eggs mark the beginning of the tick life cycle. It goes from eggs to larvae to nymphs and adult. A female tick can lay up to 18,000 eggs in her lifetime, however since a tick’s life is very short, they will die after laying their eggs.

Before getting into how eggs are laid for different species of ticks, there is one thing you should know. There are two different types of ticks: hard ticks and soft ticks. The main difference between the two is the presence of a scutum or shield. Hard ticks will have this shield and soft ticks will not. In fact, soft ticks will have a leathery cuticle in its place.

 Soft ticks, however will survive after laying their eggs. Soft tick eggs will live on consuming blood, either from a human or an animal, and will continue to lay eggs until she dies. Hard ticks on the other hand will lay their eggs outside in the ground during spring. Brown dog ticks will lay indoors. 

If you find tick eggs in your home, please call Western Exterminator to get rid of them. While there are DIY techniques,  you will never find the root cause until you hire a professional. Western Exterminator pest specialists  are trained to inspect any property for tick eggs and can offer solutions that will prevent them from returning.

Fleas vs. ticks

Many people confuse fleas with ticks, so here are some key differences between the two.

Ticks

• Related to spiders 
• They are bigger than fleas, about ¼ -⅛ inch long 
• They can have multiple hosts; from humans to snakes to dogs. 
• Ticks can lay thousands of eggs at one time, wow! 
• Carries multiple diseases

Fleas

• Can lay up to 40 eggs a day 
• Can live up to 100 days and will have one host 
• Carries tapeworm and bartonellosis.

Tick removal techniques

If you find ticks on you the most common method to remove them is using tweezers. Thin, fine-nosed tweezers should be placed as close to the skin as possible and a firm grip placed on the tick’s head. Do not twist or bend the tick, to prevent mouth parts left behind that can cause further infection, but use a quick upward motion to remove them. Wash the bite area and use anti-bacterial medication to prevent infestations.

Tick prevention

There are several things you can do to prevent ticks:

• Remove vegetation, Ticks love long grass and vegetation, so keep it away from your property and avoid it as much as possible.

• Use DEET. Not only helps with mosquitoes, but effective against ticks, too.

• Tuck socks into pants and wear long sleeves. Ticks want bare skin. Wearing longs sleeves gives them nothing to dine on.

• Wear light colored clothing. That way you can more easily spot ticks and remove them.

Western Exterminator tick experts

Western Exterminator pest control experts can help you with tick infestations. Since ticks can breed quite fast if they make it indoors, if you, your pets, or your family experience problems with ticks then call us right away. We will help rid your home of ticks and tick larvae. Then we work with you to manage vegetation and provide solutions to stop ticks from returning.

Western Exterminator tick control and prevention experts have decades of experience in providing effective pest control solutions and treatments.

We really tick off the ticks

Our Western Exterminator pest control and tick prevention professionals will provide courteous and effective tick removal and tick control solutions for your home. Contact us online or call 800-937-8398 today.