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Doing routine checks for ticks can protect you, your family, and your pets.  If you get sick and don’t realize that your sickness is related to a tick bite, your physician will not be able to properly treat you. The diseases spread by ticks share symptoms with many illnesses. In fact, Lyme disease is often called the great imitator because it shares symptoms with fibromyalgia, MS, ALS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and as many as 350 other diseases. It is an understatement to say that it is difficult for doctors to properly diagnose Lyme without your testimony of being bitten.

Removing Ticks

If you find a tick on you, refrain from pinching it and pulling it off, no matter how badly you want to. Squeezing the tick can cause bacteria-causing organisms to inject into the wound. Use a tick removal tool or a pair of needle-nosed tweezers. Pinch the tick as close to the head of the tick as possible. Pull down and away from your skin.

Checking Your Pets

When ticks get on dogs and cats they tend to attach in the ears or between the toes. These are good places to search first. If you find a tick that has been feeding, it will be engorged. Keep this in mind. An engorged tick looks a lot different than a tick that has not had a blood meal. Once you’ve checked the ears and toes, comb your fingers through your pet’s fur and feel for bumps (obviously this does not pertain to shorthaired dogs and cats). Use the removal tip above to get ticks off your pet.

For Added Protection

Along with routine checks, it is important to consider adding tick reduction/prevention to your residential pest control plan. The fewer ticks you have in your yard, the lower your risk of tick-borne diseases will be. You also get the added benefits of mosquito control.  It’s a win-win.

Tick Tips:

• Avoid tall grass and vegetation when you are outside.
• Consider spraying mosquito repellent on your feet and legs to prevent ticks from crawling up.
• Wear tall boots or tuck your pants into your socks if you’ll be in areas where ticks are common.
• Get tick collars for your pets.
• Keep your foundation perimeter as dry as possible.
• Be aware that mice and rats bring ticks into homes and take measures to keep them out.

Schedule An Inspection With a Pest Control Company

If you would like assistance with implementing a termite control plan to effectively protect your home from the threat of subterranean termites, we’re here to help. The termite control professionals at Beebe’s are the best service people in the business. Get started today by requesting an appointment.