Ticks are parasites, and there’s no doubt about that. No one likes the idea of tiny little critters running around your home, burrowing their way into pets, and causing diseases. But the scariest thing about them is their resilience and ability to quickly infest a place, which is why you should learn about them.
Don’t underestimate these tiny parasites; they are a family of tiny arachnids that feed on warm-blooded hosts, and while a tick bite is relatively painless, it can infect animals and humans with viruses and bacteria, which can then cause various diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and tularemia. Sure, it isn’t easy for your loved ones or pets to get infected off a single bite; the probability of getting sick increases when there’s an infestation in your home. Therefore, to protect your loved ones and pets, you need to be able to identify a tick infestation, what causes it, and how to get rid of it. Here’s how you tell you have a tick issue.
What Causes Tick Infestation?
Ticks are persistent and can quickly infest a home if one tick is brought into the house. They infiltrate the home by attaching themselves to warm-blooded animals, you or your pet, by biting the skin and burying their head beneath your skin. There are different types of ticks, and when you find a tick in your house, you should not only expect more but also check what type of tick it is. This is because only certain types of ticks can survive indoors. After all, the inside of a home might be too dry for their long-term survival and reproduction.
These critters usually find damp areas and warm bodies to nest and spread their eggs in places like the groin, inside the ears, hair, and under the arms. They can also attach themselves to your pets, like dogs and cats, and are difficult to find because of their furs. An infestation can occur when the conditions of your home meet their reproduction needs. They start by laying eggs all over the house, especially near furniture, windows, curtains, and rugs.
Signs of A Tick Infestation
Ticks On Family Or Pets.
It’s widespread for ticks to be found on kids and pets because they require blood to survive. To prevent this, you should check your kid’s hair and your pet’s fur after any outdoor activity, especially in public places. It is common for children to get ticks from schools or playgrounds and then bring them back home, spreading them around the home. When you notice ticks on a family member or pet, you should assume that you already have an infection or one soon and take appropriate steps to prepare for it.
Presence of Black or Brown Spots.
Ticks can move quickly across the body, commonly targeting warm or moist areas. They are often found in the groin, scalp, and armpits, and when they see a preferable area, they bite you and then burrow themselves beneath your skin. This burrowing can result in brown and black spots on your fellow residents and pets. You might have a tick infestation if you see a sudden appearance of black or brown spots on them.
Tick-Borne Illnesses
One of the scariest things about ticks is the illnesses they bring with them. The effects of these illnesses can range from mild to severe symptoms. These illnesses have common symptoms, such as fever, chills, headaches, body aches, and rashes. When you notice these symptoms in your fellow residents, especially alongside rashes, it might hint at a tick infection. If you see these symptoms, visit a doctor to verify.
Work with A&M Pest Control
Ticks can be quite persistent, and to prevent an infestation, you need to check your family members, especially children and pets, thoroughly before they enter the house. To get rid of them, use insect repellants on fabrics or clothing or use tweezers to remove them when you discover them. Getting rid of them will take a lot of work, so hiring a professional to help you with this might be best. A&M Pest Control is the best professional service for removing your pesky tick infestation on Cape Cod.
