Did you know the U.S reports nearly half a million new cases of Lyme disease each year? It is one of the fastest-growing infectious diseases in the US, with a tiny, blood-sucking parasite at the center of it all. Lyme disease is a bacteria infection that develops from tick bites.
Patients experience extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety and depression, migraines, shooting pains, and numbness in the hands or feet. You need to take proactive measures such as effective pest control in Albany to keep your loved ones safe.
Why Do Ticks Bite Humans?
Ticks are blood-sucking parasites that depend on blood proteins for nourishment and reproduction. They require at least one full meal of blood before they can breed, laying up to 5,000 eggs at one time in some species.
Additionally, ticks are opportunistic, biting on anyone they can find to satisfy their bloodthirst. The nuisance pest can feed on horses, dogs, cats, and other pets. Ticks will also happily bite you if they can get close enough.
Ticks are attracted to the smell of butyric acid, a fatty acid that is present in sweat and body odor. Ticks also respond strongly to carbon dioxide, which helps them locate mammals like humans without any other cues. You may have to hire a tick extermination company to protect your family from nasty bites.
Keeping Ticks Off Your Pets
The easiest way for tiny bloodsuckers to cause an infestation in your home is through your pets. Therefore, effective tick control needs to include eliminating the parasite from your pet’s fur coat. Here are tips to keep ticks off your furry friends:
- Request for oral tick medications from your pet’s vet.
- Bathe your pet in tick dips and shampoos.
- Keep your pets inside during high tick season.
- Spread borate powders over infested areas such as beddings.
- Mow the lawn grass to keep the blades short.
- Treat your house and lawn with outdoor tick spray.
Ticks are resilient and can resist conventional chemical treatments. Work together with your vet and a pest control company in Albany to develop a plan to eradicate the pests.
Natural Tick Repellents As A Form Of Tick Management
DEET bug sprays are a common choice for tick treatment. Sadly, the active ingredients often cause harmful side effects in humans and pets, including skin irritations, agitation, and seizures. Get the tick infestation under control with these natural deterrents.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Vinegar is an effective, affordable way to keep ticks off your pets. Create a homemade solution of one part apple cider vinegar and one part water, and spray your pets. Adding vinegar to your pet's water can also change its scent, reducing the risk of an infestation.
- 2. Essential Oils Blend
Various studies prove the effectiveness of eucalyptus, lavender, clove, and citronella oils in repelling particular tick species. You can prepare a blend of the essential oils and apply them to your skin. You can also spray the mixture on your clothing and lawns to deter ticks from infesting your home.
- 3. Garlic
Eating garlic can cause the body to release a scent that ticks hate, preventing irritating bites. You can also use garlic oil to repel the ticks by applying it to your skin, clothing, and yard.
Tick-Proof Your Yard In Albany
The best way to get rid of ticks is to hire a professional pest exterminator. At Absolute Pest Control, our trained professionals can identify the particular tick species, how large the infestation is, and the possible treatment solutions for your home.
Our team will also develop and prevention program to ensure that the ticks don’t return to your property. Call us today to learn more about our tick control services in Albany.
