Ticks are about as slow as pests come, yet sometimes it seems like you can’t go outside without picking one of these bloodsuckers up. How is this possible? Maybe ticks are smarter than most people give them credit for. To help you combat these annoying and dangerous pests around your Auburn property, here are a few things you need to know along with eight simple yet effective tick control tips you should be using.
Common Ticks Around Auburn, Alabama
Auburn, Alabama is home to a few different species of ticks. The most common are lone star ticks, deer ticks, and American dog ticks. They each have different characteristics to identify them by:
- Lone star ticks: are named for the silvery-white spot located on the back of their females. These pests have eight legs, are reddish-brown in color, and have protruding mouthparts.
- Deer ticks: have orange-brown bodies and dark legs and are present across most of the United States. These pests like to hitchhike on the bodies of white-tailed deer. In some areas in the midwest, these eight-legged pests are called bear ticks.
- American dog ticks: have brown bodies and whitish-grey markings. These tics are known for feeding primarily on domestic dogs and are a common home invader in our area.
Where Ticks Hang Out
In a world where everyone is social distancing, ticks didn’t get the memo. These eight-legged pests love to live nearby and like to snuggle up close to anyone they can attach to. Out in nature ticks spend time around wildlife but inside homes, they choose humans and pets. Fortunately, ticks don’t carry COVID 19. However, they do carry and spread illnesses, such as Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Ehrlichiosis. Many of the diseases that ticks spread have side effects that often last for life.
If you are outside, avoid walking through tall grass or thick foliage as this is where ticks are most likely to hide. Unlike many other pests, ticks are incapable of flying, moving fast, or jumping. Because of this, they have to get creative to get onto a host. Most often, they will climb to the top of a tall piece of grass or onto a leaf where they can transfer themselves when someone walks by.
How To Prevent Ticks
There are two places you don’t want ticks to be, on your body or in your yard. To make sure these potentially dangerous pests stay away from you and your property, use these eight simple yet effective prevention tips.
- Avoid walking through tall grass/thick foliage
- Tuck your pant legs into your socks before going into nature
- Wear light-colored clothing when outside
- Make sure your pets have proper tick protection
- Wear insect repellent, especially on your legs and feet
- Keep your grass cut short
- Trim your bushes regularly
- Keep your yard clean of debris and clutter
If you find a tick on yourself after being outside, use a pair of tweezers and gently pull them out, gripping as close to your skin as possible. After you have removed the tick, store their body inside an airtight bag inside the freezer. Doing this will allow your doctors to have a vector to study if you start showing signs of a tick-borne disease.
A Better Way To Prevent Ticks
If you do not have the time, energy, or desire to prevent ticks on your own, consider the benefits of professional pest control. At Prewett Pest Control, we offer detailed services to exclude ticks from yards. Proper treatment will allow you to enjoy time on your property without having to spray yourself with insect repellent or constantly tuck your pant legs into your socks.
Give us a call today to schedule a service visit from Prewett Pest Control for your Auburn property.