Tick Talk: Protecting Your Home and Family with Summit’s Pest Control Edmond OK Solutions

Ticks are sneaky little critters. They might only be less than half an inch long, but they can cause big, big problems. These tiny pests can carry diseases that affect both humans and pets. 

As a homeowner, you need to take steps to protect your home and family from ticks. Summit Pest Solution in Edmond, OK, is here to help. 

In this blog post, we’ll discuss what ticks are, why they’re dangerous, and how you can keep them at bay with the help of Summit’s expert pest control services.

What Are Ticks?

Ticks are small, spider-like animals that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. They have eight legs and are related to spiders and mites. 

Ticks can be as small as a poppy seed or as large as a pencil eraser, depending on their age and whether they’ve fed recently.

There are several types of ticks, but the most common ones you’ll find in Oklahoma are the American dog tick, the lone star tick, and the black-legged (or deer) tick. Each of these ticks can carry different diseases, making them a serious threat to your family’s health.

Why Are Ticks Dangerous?

Ticks are more than just a nuisance. They can carry and spread diseases that can make you and your pets very sick. Some of the most common tick-borne diseases include:

• Lyme Disease: This disease is caused by bacteria and can lead to symptoms like fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash. If left untreated, it can spread to your joints, heart, and nervous system.
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: This disease can cause fever, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, and muscle pain. A rash may also develop. It can be severe or even fatal if not treated early.
• Tularemia: This is a rare infectious disease that typically attacks the skin, eyes, lymph nodes, and lungs. Symptoms include fever, skin ulcers, and swollen glands.
• Ehrlichiosis: This disease causes fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, and sometimes a rash. It can be serious if not treated promptly.

Your pets aren’t safe from ticks either. Dogs and cats can get sick from tick bites, too. Some tick-borne diseases can even be passed from pets to people, making it all the more important to protect everyone in your household.

How Do Ticks Get Into Your Home?

Ticks don’t just appear out of nowhere; they hitch a ride on hosts like you, your family members, and your pets. Here are some common ways ticks can get into your home:

• Pets: Dogs and cats that spend time outside can pick up ticks and bring them inside. Even if your pet just spends a few minutes in the yard, they can still bring ticks into your home.
• Clothing and Gear: When you and your family spend time outside, especially in wooded or grassy areas, ticks can latch onto your clothing or gear and come inside with you.
• Visitors: Friends and family who visit your home with their pets can unintentionally bring ticks along with them.

How Can You Protect Your Home and Family from Ticks?

The good news is that there are several steps you can take to protect your home and family from ticks. Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Keep Your Yard Tidy

Ticks thrive in tall grass, leaf piles, and dense vegetation. Maintaining a tidy yard is one of the most effective ways to reduce their presence. Regularly mowing your lawn to keep the grass short can significantly cut down on potential tick habitats.

Also, raking up and disposing of fallen leaves and other debris helps eliminate areas where ticks might hide. Trimming bushes, shrubs, and trees, especially around paths and play areas, will further reduce the likelihood of ticks taking up residence. Creating a barrier using wood chips or gravel between your lawn and any wooded areas can also help prevent ticks from migrating into your yard.

2. Protect Your Pets

Pets are often the first to encounter ticks – that also means they should be your first line of defense. Consult with your veterinarian to find the most suitable tick preventatives for your pets, which could include collars, topical treatments, or oral medications. 

After your pets have been outdoors, make it a habit to check them thoroughly for ticks, paying close attention to the ears, neck, armpits, and between the toes. Regular baths can also help remove any ticks that may have latched onto your pets.

3. Protect Yourself and Your Family

When you’re spending time outdoors, especially in areas that are prone to ticks, take extra precautions. 

Wearing protective clothing such as long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes can create a physical barrier against ticks. Tucking your pants into your socks offers additional protection. 

Applying a tick repellent that contains at least 20% DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 can further deter ticks from latching onto you; always follow the instructions on the product label for safe use. 

After outdoor activities, it’s important to check your body and your children’s bodies for ticks, focusing on areas like the scalp, behind the ears, under the arms, and around the waist. Taking a shower within two hours of coming indoors can help wash off any ticks that may be crawling on your skin.

4. Call the Professionals

While there are many steps you can take on your own, sometimes it’s best to call in the professionals! We offer expert tick control services to help protect your home and family. 

Here’s what they can do for you:

• Thorough Inspections: Our team will inspect your property to identify tick habitats and assess the level of infestation.
• Targeted Treatments: We use safe and effective treatments to target ticks at all stages of their life cycle – hopefully, reducing the tick population around your home.
• Ongoing Monitoring: Summit Pest Solutions offers ongoing monitoring and maintenance to keep your property tick-free year-round.

Take Ticks Off the Table With Summit Pest Solutions

Ticks are a serious threat to your health and the health of your pets – but they don’t have to be.

And with the help of Summit Pest Solutions in Edmond, OK, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your home is protected from ticks. 

Don’t wait – contact Summit Pest Solutions today and take the first step towards a tick-free home.