Tick Identification & Prevention

What are Ticks?

Ticks are arachnids, meaning they are related to spiders and scorpions. Unlike these arachnids, however, ticks are external parasites. They do not hunt prey. They seek hosts from whom they can draw blood, making them much more dangerous than your average spider or scorpion. They may not have venomous bites or stings, but they often carry something much worse. This is why tick protection is so vital, both on your Athens property and off.

American Pest Control is here to help rid your property of ticks and other pests. Call us at (706) 702-4532 or fill out our online contact form today.

Are Ticks Dangerous?

Ticks are very dangerous because of the myriad of potentially debilitating diseases they spread. Ticks embed themselves in your skin when they feed on you. This gives them ample opportunity to pass all kinds of harmful bacteria and viruses into your bloodstream. 

Some of the most common tick-borne illnesses include:

• Lyme disease
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Powassan virus
• Tick paralysis
• Colorado tick fever

This is why, if a tick bites you, you need to watch for symptoms and seek medical attention if you have concerning health issues after the bite.

Why Do I Have a Tick Problem?

Most of the time, you wind up with a tick infestation because ticks hitch a ride onto your property on whatever host they are currently feeding on. This could be your pets, any wildlife infesting your property, or even you. Any warm-blooded animal that can fall prey to hungry ticks can bring those ticks onto your property, where they drop off their hosts and start breeding.

Where will I find ticks?

Part of what makes tick control so difficult is you can find ticks practically anywhere in your yard. They don't typically come into your house, but they will hide in trees, shrubs, bushes, and long grass. Pretty much anywhere they can use as a vantage point to drop down on a host from above or climb up from below can make a good hiding spot for ticks.

How do I get rid of ticks?

Getting rid of ticks on your own can be very difficult. This is not only because ticks can hide virtually anywhere on your property that has any kind of plant coverage but also because there are not a lot of effective tick control products on the open market. Most of the things you can buy at a store just don't work. The good news is the tick control products we have at American Pest Control do work.