There are many different insects and rodents that people do not like to think about. Spiders, mice, termites, skunks, bees, scorpions, and tarantulas are probably all insects or rodents that people hope they do not have to deal with. Unfortunately, we do not get to choose what insects and rodents find their way into our lives for whatever reason. In order to safeguard yourself, you should really know some information about the insects and rodents listed above. Today A-Tex Pest Management wants to give you some information about ticks.
Tick Facts
Though most people classify ticks as insects they are actually arachnids. They are part of the scientific order of Parasitiformes and the subclass Acari. They live by feeding on the blood of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Ticks can be found all around the world but they do tend to be more prevalent in warm, humid climates because they require a certain amount of moisture in the air to undergo metamorphosis. Ticks start as eggs and then develop into larva next. The next step in their life cycle is a nymph and the last stage is an adult. It takes at least a year for a tick to complete its life cycle. They require blood meals in order to complete their life cycles.
Tick Identification
Tick larvae are very small measuring about 1/32 of an inch. Tick larvae have six legs. Nymphs are about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch with eight legs. Adult ticks are about 3/16 to ¼ inch with eight legs. Ticks can be soft or hard. Hard ticks attach and feed for hours or days. Soft ticks usually will only attach and drink your blood for an hour. While they are feeding there can transmit potentially life-threatening infectious diseases. Ticks can spread diseases to humans and animals.
How to Prevent Tick Bites
Many people want to know what they can do to prevent getting bitten by a tick. There are some precautions that you can take. People who go through grassy areas and woods are at a higher risk for tick bites, especially from April through September. If you will be out in grassy areas or woods you can use DEET-containing repellants to help safeguard yourself. You can also make sure that you are wearing appropriate clothing.
Tick Bite Symptoms
If you do end up getting bitten by a tick you may not even know until after the tick stops the blood meal and falls off of your skin. Symptoms of a tick bite are itching, burning, redness, localized pain in some cases, rash near the bite, shortness of breath, swelling, numbness, and in rare cases paralysis. Many people do not experience any symptoms at all.
Tick Diseases in Humans
Ticks can carry pathogens that may transmit different diseases to humans. They do not always transmit these pathogens though. If they do you can get tularemia, anaplasmosis, Colorado tick fever, Powassan encephalitis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, Heartland virus, and tick-borne relapsing fever. One of the most commonly talked about illnesses that can be caused by a tick bite is Lyme disease. Lyme disease can cause multiple health problems. Immediate medical treatment is recommended if you think that you have been bitten by a tick and think you might have any of these diseases. If you have been bitten by a tick you will want to make sure to remove the tick as soon as you notice it so that it cannot keep feeding on your blood.
Tick Inspections, Control & More in Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville, Cedar Park & Austin Texas
Since ticks live in grassy and wooded areas you do not need to be worried about them being in your home but you do need to worry about them being outside, especially if you enjoy spending time outside and going on hikes etc. If there are any tick or other pest control needs that you have give A-Tex Pest Management a call today!