Tick-Borne Diseases: Why Tick Control in Your Yard is Essential

Summer is the perfect time to take a hike in the woods or enjoy your backyard. Too bad those are the same places ticks are lurking, ready to take a bite out of your fun summer adventures. With warmer weather comes an increased risk of tick-borne disease and it’s important to understand the dangers ticks pose and how best to protect yourself and your family.

Common Tick-Borne Diseases

According to the Centers for Disease Control, ticks can be infected with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Some of the most common tick-borne diseases include Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, anaplasmosis, Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness, Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, and tularemia.

Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne disease in the United States – and it’s on the rise, with the number of reported cases increasing to tens of thousands annually right here in the United States.

The Dangers of Tick-Borne Diseases

Tick-borne diseases pose significant health concerns. Why are they so dangerous? Primarily because they:

• Are hard to diagnose: Diagnosing tick-borne diseases can be challenging, as the symptoms can mimic other illnesses, and ticks can transmit multiple diseases at one time. This can result in delayed or incorrect diagnosis, leading to prolonged illness and complications.
• Impact the vulnerable: According to Lifespan Health, the very young, elderly, or immunosuppressed can have more severe symptoms, putting them at increased risk.
• Have a wide range of symptoms: Tick-borne diseases can cause a wide range of symptoms, from mild to severe. In severe cases, these diseases can lead to long-term health effects, such as chronic joint pain, neurological problems, and even death.

Since tick-borne diseases can significantly impact your quality of life, prevention is the key to avoiding these diseases and enjoying your summer with confidence. Common tips include wearing long sleeves and pants and staying away from tall grass and leaf litter. Check out more effective prevention tips from our team.

Tick Control in Your Yard is Essential

Ticks are commonly found in yards, even in relatively metropolitan areas. Yards with tall grass, leaf litter, and wooded areas are the most dangerous, as these are attractive areas for ticks because they provide shade during the daytime hours when they’re most active. Control measures in your yard are essential to:

• Reduce tick populations: Ticks have a complex life cycle and require specific conditions to thrive. Professional tick control can target ticks at different stages of their life cycle, including eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults. This effectively reduces their population and prevents them from reproducing.
• Prevent tick bites: Fewer ticks means less risk of tick bites. And this doesn’t just protect your family. Pets, including dogs and cats, are also at risk of contracting tick-borne diseases, and investing in tick control for your outdoor spaces can help protect your pets as well as your family.
• Protect your property: You work hard to create an outdoor space that is comfortable for your family, friends, and pets. And you deserve to enjoy it. Tick control can help you keep that space safe all summer long.