May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Ticks are carriers of Lyme disease, the most prevalent tick-borne disease in the US. 

Like mosquitoes, ticks are vectors, or transmitters, of disease. Though extremely serious, mosquito-borne disease affects only a few thousand individuals in the US each year, while tick-borne disease afflicts tens of thousands.

Unlike mosquitoes, ticks do not grab a blood meal and go on their way. Ticks have beak-like projections that plunge into the skin of their host. Depending on its type, a tick may feed on the host’s blood for hours, days or even weeks. If you find a tick on you, please follow this guide from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and remove it promptly. To reduce the risk of getting a tick on your property, you can utilize professional tick control services.

Lyme disease, named after the Connecticut town in which it was found, has been growing in numbers and affects more parts of the country than it did just 7-10 years ago. The Centers of Disease Control state that is it the most commonly reported vector-borne illness in the United States and some estimates say that with the rate of illnesses going unreported to the CDC, that Lyme cases could be as high as 300,000 a year!

Blacklegged ticks carry the Lyme bacteria and transmit it to humans. They can be found in any area of the country where there is a large population of deer. Deer are the vehicles for ticks, carrying them from one location to another. Ticks are most active during May, June and July, but will be out whenever the temperatures are warm enough.

Not all blacklegged ticks carry Lyme disease, so if you get a tick bite, it doesn’t mean that you definitely have Lyme. If you find a tick on you, promptly remove it and place it in a plastic bag in case it needs to be tested. Take any signs or symptoms of Lyme seriously and talk to your doctor if you have any concerns. The earlier Lyme disease is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.

Being observant and being aware of ticks (and using tick control if necessary) is the best way to protect yourself from Lyme. Here are some tips:

• When walking or hiking outdoors, stay in the middle of paths and avoid tall grass
• Where long-sleeved shirts and pants. Light colors will make it easier for you to see any ticks that have landed on your clothing
• Wash clothing in hot water and use a high heat dryer to eliminate any ticks left on your clothing
• Do a full-body tick check after coming inside, making sure to look at those hard to see areas like behind the knees and in the armpits.
• Tuck pant legs into socks to refuse ticks an entry point.Spray clothing and any exposed skin with a product containing 20 percent DEET.

  Clothing and other gear, but not skin, can be treated with Permethrin, which will kill

  ticks and mosquitoes on contact and should last through several washings. Check

  carefully for ticks after being outdoors.

 

The 6 C’s to Tick-Proof Your Yard

1. Clear out. Reduce your tick exposure by clearing out areas where lawn and tree

debris gathers. Ticks thrive in moist, shady areas and tend to die in sunny, dry

areas. Locate compost piles away from play areas or high traffic. Separate them

with wood chips or gravel. Don’t position playground equipment, decks and patios

near treed areas.

2. Clean. Eliminate leaf litter and brush by cleaning it up around the house and

lawn edges, mow tall grasses and keep your lawn short.

3. Choose plants. Select plants and shrubs that are not attractive to deer and/

or install physical barriers to keep deer out of your yard. Check with your local

nursery to determine the best choices for your area.

4. Check hiding places. Know tick hiding places and check them frequently.

Fences, brick walls and patio retaining walls are popular hiding places.

5. Care for family pets. Family pets can suffer from tick-borne disease and also

carry infected ticks into the home. Talk to your veterinarian about using tick

collars and sprays. As with all pest control products, be sure to follow directions

carefully.

6. Call the pros. Professionals utilize both barrier sprays that can kill live ticks

on the spot as well as “tick tubes.” Strategically placed, “tick tubes” prompt field

mice to incorporate tick-killing material in their bedding, effectively eliminating

hundreds of tick nymphs found in each mouse nest.

 

Stay safe this season!

The Dread Skeeter Story By Dread Skeeter

Mosquito Squad is America’s leading company dedicated exclusively to controlling the annoying outdoor pests that transmit disease and ruin your backyard experience.We view our mission through the eyes of Dread Skeeter, mortal enemy of disease-infested blood suckers across America:

Hi. I’m Dread Skeeter. My life’s mission is to eliminate mosquitoes and ticks.

I love kids. I love pets. And I know that mosquitoes and ticks carry diseases that hurt kids and pets. (Adults, too, but I don’t get all mushy over adults – well, maybe moms and grandmas, but that’s where a manly man draws the line.)

Anyway, it’s a crying shame, but most Americans don’t know how dangerous mosquitoes and ticks can be. Fact is, every year scores of people are left with severe, permanent disabilities–all because of a simple bite.

And “new” diseases like West Nile and Lyme are springing up. Statistics will tell you that tens of thousands of Americans are getting sick. What statistics don’t say is that a lot of those people never really feel well again. Ever.

That’s why I’ve dedicated my life to educating and protecting people from mosquito- and tick-borne diseases.

The things you can do to help protect your family are simple and easy. As a professional, I can help with some of them. As a professional, I understand how to do the job in the most effective way with the least possible impact on the environment.

I could blab on about how dedicated I am to good service (which I am). I could tell you about my 100% satisfaction guarantee. But, what I really want you to know is how important it is to do everything you can to protect your family. So, if you do nothing else, read about those prevention measures on the pages about mosquitoes and ticks.

Mosquito Squad protection allows families to “take back” their backyard from dangerous insects

I know a lot of people think I’m an alarmist. All they really care about is a yard free from annoying, biting pests. I’m cool with that. I’ll still help you enjoy your yard. I’ll just secretly feel good about protecting your family while I’m at it.

Sincerely,

Dread Skeeter

LYME DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH: SIX TIPS YOU NEED TO KNOW TO DEAL WITH TICKS IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

Adult deer tick, Ixodes scapularis. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month which we at Mosquito Squad are happy to participate in. Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne illness in the country with over 30,000 Americans contracting the disease every year! Our vector expert and co-founder of Mosquito Squad, Boyd Huneycutt explains: “there is no doubt that ticks present a threat to the health of Americans, their families and even their pets, due to the movement and rise in the deer tick population. We urge everyone to control the factors that they can, and check themselves thoroughly when in areas that can house ticks.”

Lyme disease can be a devastating disease that unfortunately is on the rise in many parts of the United States. Cause by the bite of a deer tick, Lyme can cause nausea, fatigue and joint pain. Although treated with antibiotics, if left untreated, symptoms can become more serious.

Is there Lyme disease in Texas? Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne

English: The tick Amblyomma americanum (Lone Star tick) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

disease in the U.S. From 1994-2006, an average of 74 cases was reported annually in Texas.

There are six reportable tick-borne illnesses in Texas: babesiosis, ehrlichiosis (including anaplasmosis), Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and tick-borne relapsing fever. Additionally, a Lyme-like illness known as STARI (Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness), transmitted by the Lone Star Tick, is reportable as Lyme disease.

Mosquito Squad of Victoria recommends the following 6 C’s to Tick-Proof Your Yard:

1. Clear out. Reduce your tick exposure by clearing out areas where lawn and tree debris gathers. Ticks thrive in moist, shady areas and tend to die in sunny, dry areas. Locate compost piles away from play areas or high traffic. Separate them with wood chips or gravel. Don’t position playground equipment, decks and patios near treed areas.

2. Clean. Eliminate leaf litter and brush by cleaning it up around the house and lawn edges, mow tall grasses and keep your lawn short.

3. Choose plants. Select plants and shrubs that are not attractive to deer and/or install physical barriers to keep deer out of your yard. Check with your local nursery to determine the best choices for your area.

4. Check hiding places. Know tick hiding places and check them frequently. Fences, brick walls and patio retaining walls are popular hiding places.

5. Care for family pets. Family pets can suffer from tick-borne disease and also carry infected ticks into the home. Talk to your veterinarian about using tick collars and sprays. As with all pest control products, be sure to follow directions carefully.

6. Call the pros. Professionals utilize both barrier sprays that can kill live ticks on the spot as well as “tick tubes.” Strategically placed, “tick tubes” prompt field mice to incorporate tick-killing material in their bedding, effectively eliminating hundreds of tick nymphs found in each mouse nest.

There is actually an additional “C” for homeowners: Communicate.”

Once you understand how ticks breed, share that information with others, especially those with small children or those older than age 55. If Lyme disease is contracted by either of these groups, they typically sustain the most severe health complications.

When outdoors away from home, the CDC recommends wearing long-sleeved, long-legged, light-colored clothing. Tuck pant legs into socks to refuse ticks an entry point. Spray clothing and any exposed skin with a product containing 20% DEET. Clothing and other gear, but not skin, can be treated with Permethrin, which will kill ticks and mosquitoes on contact and should last through several washings. Check carefully for ticks after being outdoors.