Tick control is another topic clouded in false remedies and just plain wrong information. Because ticks can carry diseases that affect your and your pet’s health, it’s essential to eliminate an infestation as soon as possible. Don’t fall for these tick myths. Get help from a professional who knows the truth about ticks.
- Myth #1: Ticks are insects. Ticks are actually arachnids. They have eight legs like a spider, rather than six legs like an insect. Blood-sucking ticks love North Carolina’s warmer climate and wooded areas. In North America, there are about 90 types of ticks, with the American dog tick being the most prevalent in North Carolina. You may also encounter the lone star, black-legged, brown dog tick.
- Myth #2: Ticks will ambush you from the air. Ticks anchor themselves to shrubs or blades of grass and reach out in front of them to feel for a human or animal host. They won’t fly or jump on you. They grab on as you brush against them. They crawl up the body, looking for bare skin.
- Myth #3: Apply heat to get rid of a tick. Applying heat to a tick could make you more likely to get a tick-transmitted disease. Pull the tick off without twisting it. Ticks transmit disease through their saliva, and when they are distressed, they produce more saliva. Removing the tick within 48 hours is also essential.
There are things you can do to make your yard less hospitable for ticks, including hiring a professional to spray your yard. Contact us today for tick control options.