Have you ever found a tick on your leg attempting to latch itself on? This is one of the most unsettling pest experiences you can have around Mid-South TN, but it’s even worse to find out that some ticks in our area are capable of transmitting the bacteria that causes Lyme disease to humans. Like some of the many other diseases that ticks can carry, Lyme disease comes with serious consequences, so it’s important to be able to protect yourself, your family, and your pets from tick bites. Read on for tick prevention advice from our team at Inman-Murphy Termite & Pest Control.
How Do People Get Lyme Disease?
Most cases of Lyme disease start with a bite from a deer tick nymph. Deer ticks are known to carry and spread Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, through their bites. Because of both their tiny, 2 mm-long stature and their anesthetic saliva, deer tick nymphs are experts at sneakily biting hosts without ever being detected.
If you end up contracting Lyme disease from a deer tick bite, the first symptoms you will notice are fever, rashes, headaches, exhaustion, and pain in your joints and muscles. However, if left untreated, you will eventually start dealing with nerve damage and arthritis. You should call a local medical professional right away if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and believe them to be related to a recent tick bite.
Best Ways to Avoid Ticks in Mid-South TN
It’s important to learn how to keep out of ticks’ way to prevent bites and the potential consequences that could follow. Ticks in our area like to hide out in humid and densely vegetated areas, so we have to be cautious when spending time outside, especially with our pets and children. Here are some tips for avoiding ticks:
- When spending time outside, wear long pants and socks to limit skin exposure
- Keep your kids and pets on the trail when hiking or walking in areas with dense vegetation
- Always check your body for ticks before coming back inside
- If you do find a tick, don’t grab it with your fingers. Use tweezers to pinch it close to its head and the surface of the skin, then draw it away slowly.
Local Tick Control Professionals
You should not be dealing with ticks on a regular basis. If you, your family members, or your pets are coming back inside with ticks on their bodies routinely, you might have a tick problem on your property. In this case, it’s important to reach out to your local tick exterminators for help to protect yourself from dangerous bites. Our technicians at Inman-Murphy Termite and Pest Control are trained to set up barrier spray treatments to keep ticks away for months. Contact us today to learn more about our tick control services and receive a free quote!
