Ticks are bothersome pests that can be a hassle to get rid of. Many people think that ticks are insects, but they are actually a type of arachnid. At EnSec, we offer customized pest control in Mobile. Here is everything that you need to know about proper tick control in Mobile, Alabama.
Is This A Tick?
There are more than 90 different tick species that can be found throughout the United States. For the most part, all ticks tend to look the same; they all have small, dark bodies and eight legs. However, each type of tick does have its own unique markings or features that help set it apart from the rest. Here is a look at some of the most common types of ticks that you are most likely to see around your Mobile home:
- Brown dog tick: This type of tick is also known as a "kennel tick." It has a dark reddish-brown body that is shaped like a teardrop. As its name suggests, the brown dog tick likes to feed off of the blood of dogs. However, they are commonly found on a variety of domesticated animals and humans,
- Eastern black-legged tick: Sometimes referred to as the "deer tick," the black-legged tick has two unique appearances. The female tick has a reddish-orange body and black legs. The males usually have a black body with a light gray band that wraps around their abdomen.
- American dog tick: The American dog tick has one of the most unique appearances on this list. It has a flat reddish-brown body with off-white speckled markings. The females tend to have subtle cream-colored markings, whereas the male has more sporadic speckles.
- Lone star tick: This type of tick has a round body whose colors can range from light tan to dark reddish-brown. The males tend to have white markings sporadically on their legs and back. The females usually have one white dot in the center of their backs.
The one thing that sets ticks apart from other arachnids is the fact that their bodies will usually expand when they have a large blood meal. Some ticks will swell up so much that they will resemble a small, gray grape.
How Dangerous Are Tick Bites?
In addition to leaving behind an itchy red bump on your skin, ticks have been known to spread deadly diseases when they bite people and animals. Some of the tick-borne diseases that you can catch from ticks in Mobile include:
- Southern tick-associated rash illness
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Babesiosis
- Lyme disease
- Tularemia
- Ehrlichiosis
Out of all of the diseases that ticks can pass to you, Lyme disease is the most common. According to the CDC, there are more than 20,000 confirmed cases of Lyme disease each year.
How To Prevent Tick Bites
The best way to keep ticks off of you is to keep them out of your yard. Some of the best preventive measures that you can take include:
- Keep piles of leaves, firewood, and other debris out of your yard.
- Keep the grass in your yard cut short.
- Avoid shady areas as much as possible.
- Don't let your pets go into heavily wooded areas or areas with tall grass.
If you follow these steps and are still experiencing a lot of ticks in your yard, it is best to call a professional pest control specialist.
Let The Professionals Tick-Proof Your Yard
The best way to keep your home and your property tick-free is to have your yard professionally treated. At EnSec, we have been providing tick control solutions to residents in Mobile for decades. Give us a call today to eliminate all of the ticks from your yard for good.