What are ticks?
Ticks are biting pests that feed on the blood of their host from the outside of their body. Their sole source of food is blood, and ticks have adapted to feed for long periods. They use their specialized mouthparts to bury deep into the skin of their host and feed for many days. Ticks require a blood meal to develop into each new stage (larva to nymph, and nymph to adult.)
Ticks have oval-shaped bodies; adults have eight legs, are wingless, and lack antennae. Ticks are arachnids, not insects. They are closely related to spiders, mites, and scorpions. Two of the most common species of ticks living throughout Nebraska are the dog tick and deer tick.
Are ticks dangerous?
Ticks are dangerous as they can trigger allergic reactions and spread disease through their bites. The deer tick is responsible for spreading Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted through the bite of an infected deer tick. If left untreated, Lyme disease causes serious problems that affect the heart, nervous system, and joints. Other diseases spread by ticks include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and ehrlichiosis.
Why do I have a tick problem?
Ticks feed on a variety of hosts. As their names suggest, the dog tick’s favorite hosts are dogs, and the deer tick’s favorite hosts are deer. However, they also feed on a variety of other hosts, including rodents, raccoons, rabbits, skunks, foxes, cats, and people. Ticks get onto our properties by wild animals passing through or living in our yards. Once on your property, if you, your kids, or pets brush past them, they could be introduced into your home. The good news is that ticks are outdoor pests, and most species don’t thrive indoors.
Where will I find ticks?
Ticks spend most of their lives on the body of a host. After a host brushes past them, the ticks will crawl up the body until they find a suitable spot to begin feeding. Outside ticks live in high numbers at the edges of wooded paths, in thick vegetation, in tall grass, along fence lines, and in ditches along roadways. They are also common under leaf piles, piles of firewood, or other debris that holds in moisture. Most species of ticks are unable to breed indoors, so they are rarely an issue inside of our home. When they are inside our homes, they are usually feeding on either people or pets.
How do I get rid of ticks?
Get rid of ticks from your residential or commercial property with the help of the local experts at All Star Pest Control. We will eliminate ticks and other pests from your home or business and provide the follow-up services needed to prevent them from returning. We work closely with our customers to ensure that we meet all their pest control needs.
All Star Pest Control offers exceptional pest control services, using the most modern technology and products available. If you are ready to protect your Omaha, Nebraska home or business from pests, reach out to All Star Pest Control today. Our results are guaranteed!
How can I prevent ticks in the future?
The best way to prevent future problems with ticks is to partner with the professionals at All Star Pest Control. It is also important to implement the following prevention tips:
- Avoid taking walks through tall grass.
- When walking through the woods, stay towards the center of the trail.
- Keep the grass in your yard cut short.
- Remove excess woodpiles, weeds, piles of leaves, and other debris from your property that ticks could hide within.
- Place pets on a year-round tick control program with the help of their veterinarian.
- When spending time outside, especially in wooded areas, wear a tick repellent.
- After spending the day outside, make sure to inspect yourself, your kids, and your pets for ticks.
- Vacuum your floors regularly to pick up any stray ticks.