Anybody that owns a pet knows about ticks. If your pet spends anytime outside, chances are you've had to pull a tick off your dog or cat. While ticks are a common problem for pets, they are also an issue for people.
Ticks are a dangerous pest that can spread disease and threaten the health of you, your family, and your beloved pets. Pest control in Hartwell is critical to keeping ticks out of your yard and away from those you love. Read on to learn about ticks in Hartwell and what you should do if you think a tick has bitten you.
What Does A Tick Bite Look Like?
If you are like many Hartwell residents, you enjoy spending time outside. Hartwell is a great place to enjoy nature and the great outdoors, but being outside also exposes you to a wide variety of pests that can bite or sting. Being able to identify which pest bit you is helpful because treatments can vary for different types of bites. A spider bite will require a different treatment than a wasp sting.
A tick bite can come with a range of health concerns, so identifying it is essential to getting the proper treatment. Here are some of the signs and symptoms of a tick bite:
- A tick is still attached to your skin
- A small red bump
- An itchy red area
- A red, circular rash that develops after the bite
Tick bites can be hard to distinguish because everyone has different reactions. You should contact a doctor immediately if you have any questions or concerns.
Removing A Tick From Your Skin
Finding a tick attached to your skin or someone else's skin can be scary. No one likes the idea of a pest embedded in their skin feeding on their blood. If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it as quickly as possible. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers and grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible. Using steady, even pressure, pull upward and gently lift out the tick entirely. Clean the bite area with alcohol or soap and water, and wash your hands thoroughly.
Dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet or throwing it away in a sealed bag. Never crush a tick you have just removed. Doing so will lead to unsanitary blood splatter. If you have questions about tick removal, call a doctor or other medical professional for assistance.
Do All Ticks Carry Diseases?
When you think about ticks and the dangers they can bring, the first thing you think about is Lyme disease. Lyme is one of the most common diseases associated with ticks, but it is not the only disease they can transmit. Other tick-borne diseases include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and a red meat allergy.
Not all ticks can transmit all these diseases, and not all tick bites result in significant health issues. The sooner you find and remove a tick, the less chance you have of disease or bacteria spreading.
Health issues from tick bites may not be noticeable immediately. Tick bites can take as long as 30 days to heal. While not all tick bites will become infected or transmit disease, knowing the signs and symptoms is vital. Redness or swelling around the bite site days after it occurred or flu-like symptoms are signs of a tick-related illness. These symptoms should prompt an immediate trip to the doctor for further testing and treatment.
Tick Control In Hartwell
With how dangerous ticks in Hartwell can be, keeping them out of your yard is essential for your health and safety. Here are a few tick prevention tips to help you prevent ticks around your Hartwell home:
- Wear long pants and sleeves when walking in wooded areas
- Use bug spray with at least 20% DEET
- Hike in the center of trails
- Keep your grass cut low
- Eliminate weeds, woodpiles, and other areas of debris
- Keep your pets treated with vet-approved tick prevention
Concerning tick control in Hartwell, there is no substitute for professional help.
At American Pest Control, our universal technicians have the knowledge and experience to create a tick control plan that quickly eliminates these dangerous pests. Contact us today to learn more about our services that target pests like ticks and can keep your backyard safe and pest-free. Contact American Pest Control for a free inspection today.
Our certified pest experts will work with you to find the best solution for your needs. Simply fill out this form for a free, no-obligation estimate.
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