The Trick To Effective Tick Control For West Chester Properties

Common Tick Species In West Chester

You can identify American Dog Ticks by looking for the following characteristics:

• Flat and oval-shaped

• Brown with whitish-gray markings

• Full-grown, they have eight legs

• Infested dogs may have bites or ticks on ears, in the groin area, between toes, and under collars and eyelids.

• May lay eggs in potted plants and gardens.

• Homeowners with pets and tall grass are more likely targets.

• Known to transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and cause tick paralysis, a potentially life-threatening reaction to a bite.

While Deer Ticks prefer white-tailed deer, they won’t complain if offered your pet or yourself. You can identify black-legged deer ticks by looking for the following characteristics:

• Flat and oval-shaped

• Both males and females are reddish-brown, but females have darker abdomen.

• Full-grown, they have eight legs.

• They prefer hiding in grass and shrubs, waiting for a warm-blooded host to pass by.

• Diseases it’s known to transmit include Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, human babesiosis, and more.

The next species is the most aggressive toward humans and at least as dangerous as its more plain-looking friends. You can identify Lonestar ticks by looking for the following characteristics:

• Reddish-brown and oval-shaped

• Females have a white spot on their backs.

• Males have several inverted horseshoe shapes on their backs.

• They can only survive outdoors, so they are likely found on pets or among the grass in backyards. They prefer shaded areas as they can’t survive long in the sun.

• Attack humans more frequently than any other species and are vectors for diseases including Heartland virus and Southern tick-associated rash illness.

No matter the tick, the means for biting and infecting a host, are the same. These pests will most often wait in tall vegetation before attaching. They will then burrow their head into the skin of their host and feed on its blood for several hours before detaching. If you want to avoid this, there are a few ways to prevent their presence in your yards.

How To Prevent Tick Infestations On Your West Chester Property

Preventing ticks is as simple as good yard work. To deter ticks from your yard, try these techniques:

• Keep grass trimmed.

• Remove trash and debris like leaves and weeds from the yard.

• Keep tick-carrying wild animals from finding your home interesting by keeping hiding places away from your home. Get rid of old tires, cardboard boxes, and woodpiles. Cover under-porch openings and don’t leave open water sources around to draw them in.

• Check your pets before and after leaving your home and inviting them inside.

• Keep weeds in check around cleared trails and pathways.

It’s clear from the running list of threats ticks can pose to your health and the health of your pets that they are not pests to be trifled with. 

What To Do About Tick Infestations In West Chester

It’s important to contact professionals for help the moment you suspect a tick infestation. While most tick bites don’t lead to an infection, the possible infections and their consequences are reason enough to call for help. Don’t wait for a bite. Call Masters Touch Pest Solutions the moment you suspect an infestation. In operation since 1991, Masters Touch Pest Solutions has served over 9,000 satisfied customers. Our Masters Touch Pledge is that we will be there for you between scheduled visits at no additional charge. You can trust us to keep you and your home safe from dangerous pests.