HOW ARE TICKS GETTING INSIDE MY HOME?

Ticks are a growing problem in the United States and present a serious health threat, especially on the east coast where there seems to be a much heavier population of the ticks that carry Lyme disease. These tiny parasites need to feed on blood to survive and will burrow into our skin to retrieve the blood that they need. The problem with these pests is that they carry a plethora of tick-borne diseases that range from mild to debilitating. Ticks can be found living in tall grasses, woods, forests, and any other areas with plentiful amounts of heavy vegetation. The most common ticks found in New Jersey include the black-legged tick, lone-star tick, and the American dog tick.

What Ticks Carry Lyme Disease?

Black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks, are the ticks primarily responsible for the spread of Lyme disease as well as a variety of other illnesses. These tiny pests are a brownish-orange color and grow to be around 1/8th of an inch in size. Lone-star ticks are known to spread a variety of diseases, though they are not known to carry Lyme disease currently.

What do Deer Ticks Look Like?

These medium-sized ticks are reddish-brown in color and can grow to be up to 1/4th of an inch. American dog ticks can carry a variety of illnesses as well, including tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These ticks are similar to the size of lone-star ticks, growing to be about 3/16th of an inch, and are reddish-brown with pale markings.

What are the Symptoms of Lyme Disease? 

The symptoms of many tick-borne illnesses include flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, and vomiting and are often accompanied by a rash, especially a bullseye rash in the case of Lyme disease. If you start developing these symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

To help prevent exposure to dangerous ticks in your New Jersey yard and property:

• Keep your grass cut short by mowing your lawn on a regular basis
• Trim back or remove any thick vegetation found around your yard
• Create a crushed stone border between the wooded areas around your property and your yard to keep questing ticks from wandering onto your lawn
• Do not feed the birds or other wildlife animals that may carry ticks into your yard
• Treat your pets with a veterinarian-approved tick preventative as prescribed
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants tucked into your socks when outdoors
• Wear an effective tick repellent when spending time outdoors
• Inspect your clothing and your body for ticks after spending time outside, especially in areas where ticks are commonly found.

How to Get Rid of Ticks in New Jersey

The best possible solution when dealing with tick problems is to call the experts at Viking Pest Control in New Jersey! Although it is nearly impossible to completely eliminate all the ticks from a property, at Viking Pest Control, we can effectively reduce the population in your yard and property, which will reduce your exposure to tick bites and tick-borne illnesses! We can work with you, taking into consideration your unique property and your specific needs. Our pest control professionals are ready to answer all of your pest and tick control needs, just give us a call at 800-618-2847 today!