The state of Texas is home to thousands of species of bugs and critters. They all work in their own unique way to allow this beautiful state to thrive and bloom with its wildflowers and birdlife. Hidden in the grasses and bushes there is a bug that closely follows our least favorite summertime pest, the tick. These pests don’t offer much other than to help feed animals. They can be found everywhere from tall grasses to woody areas. Of course, I speak of the blood thirsty tick. If you find them in your lawn, you’ll for sure need an insect treatment. These things do go away on their own.

Ticks are tiny, blood-sucking parasites that are often found in wooded, grassy, and brushy areas. While they may be small in size, they pose a significant threat to both humans and animals. Ticks are known to carry and spread diseases, such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and babesiosis, which can cause serious health problems if left untreated.

With the most common in our state being the Lone Star tick, black legged ticks, brown dog ticks, and American dogs ticks. Most ticks follow the same body structure of adults having 8 legs, and an oval body. Females typically being larger than the male. With colors varying from black to brown.

Dog looking at ticksTicks aren’t just annoying to look at, they can also be deadly. This is because of the serious pathogens and diseases they carry, if symptoms are left untreated that is. The most well-known of these diseases is Lyme disease, which is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. Lyme disease can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, fatigue, headache, and a characteristic bull’s-eye rash. If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause more serious health problems, such as joint pain, heart problems, and nerve damage.

As scary as some of these diseases might seem, there are thankfully many ways we can help prevent playing host next time we go for our evening hike. To protect yourself from tick bites, there are several steps you can take. When spending time in tick-prone areas, it is important to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants that are tightly tucked into your socks. You can also use personal insect repellent, which will help to repel ticks and keep them from biting you.

If you are hiking or camping in a tick-prone area, it is also important to stay on marked trails and avoid walking through tall grass, brush, and leaf litter. After spending time in a tick-prone area, be sure to check yourself and your clothing for ticks, paying special attention to areas such as the scalp, underarms, and groin.

If by chance one happens to get to you, don’t panic. There are plenty of actions that can be taken to help prevent the worst. If you are bitten by a tick, it is important to remove it as soon as possible. The best way to do this is to use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and gently pull it straight out. Avoid twisting or jerking the tick, as this can cause its mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin.

After removing the tick, clean the bite area with soap and water and apply an antiseptic to prevent infection. If you develop symptoms of Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, such as a rash or fever, be sure to see a doctor as soon as possible.

In conclusion, ticks are tiny, but dangerous parasites that can cause serious health problems if left untreated. To protect yourself from tick bites, it is important to take precautions when spending time in tick-prone areas and to check yourself for ticks after being in these areas. If you are bitten by a tick, remove it as soon as possible and see if any symptoms develop. Call us immediately to treat your lawn and have a tick free yard! Contact Safe Earth Pest Control 214-321-2847