Sound the alarm! Time for action! Ticks…the sworn enemies of both people and pets…are back and they are hungry!
Lots of pests become active this time of year, but few pose the problems ticks do. They cannot jump or fly. That’s not their “superpower.” But they can climb, and they do it well! Using this ability they crawl to the top of grasses and shrubs, hang on with their third and fourth pair of legs, and grab a passer-by with their first pair. (Scientists call this process “questing.”) Once aboard their unwitting host, they inch their way to less visible areas of the body: under arms, in and around ears, inside belly buttons, in hair, between legs, etc. When settled they begin feasting on their newfound victim’s blood.
Scientists who study tick populations have noticed an “uptick” (pun intended) in their numbers the past few years. Time.com recently reported that, since 2020, scientists in certain regions of the US have seen a 100% increase in the number of human-tick contacts. The article goes on to say that “2023 could be the worst year for ticks on record.” The article features an animated map illustrating the spread since 2016. You’ll see that Oklahoma and Cleveland Counties are among the areas where contact has grown.
Certain species have the potential to transmit illnesses. For instance, deer ticks can carry bacteria responsible for Lyme disease, while dog ticks carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) lists 16 different tick-borne illness in the United States. Some occur only in specific regions, but you don’t want to mess with any of them!
Tick bites are often painless, meaning most people do not know they have been bitten. That’s especially true when their attention is focused elsewhere. Symptoms usually begin to appear later. If there’s any good news about this process, it’s that disease transmission usually requires the tick to be attached for some time before the illness is passed along. That’s why checking yourself, your children, and your pets often when outdoors is so important; frequent examination can prevent sickness from starting.
You can never really let your guard down when dealing with ticks. Although they can become dormant in winter, adults do not die. As spring arrives they become more energetic, and hence more visible. Summer is their most productive period, when they operate at full force. However, they are often most aggressive as autumn sets in and the number of potential hosts dwindles.
As with most pests, when dealing with ticks, prevention is the best policy. The risk of disease means you really want to avoid any type of contact. Wearing protective clothing and applying tick repellent are both good ideas any time you’re headed into the wild. Discouraging them from taking up residence on you property is another sound suggestion.
A consistent lawn care regimen is a good start. Always mow your grass to a modest height, trim scraggly bushes, and remove dead plant material that can be used for hiding. A well-kept lawn limits ticks’ ability to climb high enough to grab passers-by. Adding regular pest control treatment to your routine is also important. Together, these practices will go a long way toward keeping you and yours safe from the misery these bugs can bring.
We want you to have a safe and happy summer. Professional pest control can help achieve just that. Keeping dangerous creatures like ticks at bay promotes the health and safety of your family and pets, allowing you all to enjoy the season. Contact us today at (405) 679-8729 to discuss your pest control needs. We’ll be happy to help!
