Tick season is in full swing in New England. To protect you, your property, and family, we have collected a comprehensive guide to ticks. Below you’ll find a top-level summary of the tick-related topic and a link to further reading on the topic. At the end of this blog, we’re providing a Tick Prevention Guide for free.
Removing Ticks from Pets
Our furry friends are prime carriers for ticks. As such, being able to safely remove ticks from them is a crucial skill. Here is an abbreviated step-by-step guide to ticks removal:
- Part the hair and find the head of the tick (don’t grab the body and pull which can leave the head behind under the skin).
- Grasp the tick’s head as close to the skin as possible using fine-tipped tweezers
- Gently squeeze and slowly pull the head cleanly out of the skin
- Be sure to pull outward in a straight motion until the pressure pulls out the head of the tick.
- Once removed, thoroughly clean the bite area and apply some antibiotic ointment. And, remember to wash your hands.
For more detailed instructions, view our ultimate guide to tick removal below.
Top 5 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Ticks
What happens if you get bitten by a tick? See a doctor if you develop a fever, rash, or feel generally unwell after a tick bite. Follow our guide to proper removal.
Where do ticks live? It’s presumed that ticks only live in heavily wooded areas, but they can survive even in unkept yards.
Can ticks kill you? Delayed Lyme disease treatment can impact the spine and brain, requiring long-term care.
What does a tick bite look like? The most recognizable sign is an expanding “bulls-eye” rash, which indicates Lyme disease.
How can I prevent tick bites? Wear light-colored clothing when in wooded, grassy areas and maintain your yard to discourage rodents and other wildlife that will carry ticks onto your property.
View the complete answers below:
3 Things To Help You Avoid Tick Bites This Season
Choose Proper Clothing
If you’re going to be spending time in wooded and tall grassy areas, wear light-colored, long pants and long-sleeved shirts along with closed-toe shoes.
Maintain Your Yard
To keep your yard tick-free, keep the grass cut low and remove weeds, brush piles, and accumulated debris. They attract rodents and other wildlife that will carry ticks onto your property.
Hike Smart
When hiking or walking your dog on wooded trails, do your best to stay in the center of trails.
View the complete tips:
Dog Ticks: The Other Kind Of Tick
After the deer tick, the dog tick is the most common type of tick in Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. Keep yourself informed on these common pests.
What Are Dog Ticks?
Also known as the wood tick, the American dog tick gets its name from the fact that adult ticks prefer to feed on domestic dogs, coupled with this species being found only in North America. They are approximately the size of a watermelon seed, and brown with whitish markings.
Do Dog Ticks In Massachusetts Pose A Threat?
Dog ticks are responsible for spreading Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and certain types of tularemia. In general, only the adult dog tick will bite humans. The highest risk of being bitten by a dog tick occurs during the spring and summer seasons.
Read the full guide:
Following this guide to ticks can help prevent your exposure to these lurking insects. Combined with professional treatments, the threat of ticks can be minimized. For additional reading, we’ve made our downloadable guide available for free:
Download Our Comprehensive Guide to Tick Prevention
The team at Graduate Pest Solutions can help. Call us at 413-566-8222 or contact us with any questions or if you are experiencing a pest problem. We have the knowledge and service necessary to help keep your home pest-free!
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