Mosquitoes aren’t the only pest problem in Fort Myers. Ticks are becoming a major problem in Florida, where the tick season is long because of the mild weather. Tick-borne illnesses are more common and widespread than ever before.
Thinking about pest control in Fort Myers may not be at the top of your mind, but the area gets a lot of rain, which provides plenty of habitats for ticks to prosper. Tick protection is important when visiting the many tourist attractions and outdoor environments in and around Fort Myers.
The Life Cycle Of Common Ticks
Ticks can live for two to three years, going through four distinct stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. In order to progress from one life cycle stage to the next (and so on), ticks must feed on a host.
- Egg: Adult female ticks usually lay their eggs in the spring when they are at the end of their life cycle. The eggs can be found under leaf litter once they’ve been laid. One tick can produce thousands of offspring this way.
- Larva: In the summer, once hatched, the six-legged larvae will climb up blades of grass in search of a host. This is where they’ll feed on blood before falling back to earth and beginning the next stage.
- Nymph: The larvae molt into eight-legged nymphs during the fall and spring. During the colder months, nymphs will remain inactive under leaves and snow. As temperatures increase, they will become more active in their search for hosts.
- Adult: In the fall, the nymphs molt into adult ticks after feeding successfully from a host. During this final stage, the adults will feed one more time before laying their eggs the following spring.
To successfully treat for ticks, all stages of the life cycle must be addressed. Stat Pest Control offers effective tick control services to eliminate the tick population.
The Dangerous Diseases Ticks Are Known To Spread
The most common diseases caused by ticks in the U.S. include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tularemia. All of them are potentially fatal diseases if not treated promptly. Many different kinds of ticks can carry these diseases.
Other tick-borne illnesses include ehrlichiosis (a bacterial infection), babesiosis (another type of bacterial infection), and tick paralysis, which happens when a tick attaches itself to your body and digests your blood over time until you lose muscle control.
Five Handy Tips To Protect Yourself From Tick Bites
Tick bites are a common problem in Florida. The majority of tick bites are not serious, but some people can become seriously ill after being bitten by a tick. To protect yourself from ticks, follow these five simple tips:
- Use insect repellent with DEET.
- Wear light-colored clothing when possible, so that you can spot ticks more easily.
- Carefully inspect yourself for ticks after spending time outdoors.
- Remove any ticks from your body as soon as possible by gently pulling them off with tweezers.
- See your doctor if you develop any unusual symptoms after being bitten by a tick
If you do encounter ticks on your property, call Stat Pest Control. We can eliminate ticks and keep you and your family safe from the diseases ticks can spread.
The Best Way To Keep Ticks Away From Your Home
When you think about ticks, you probably think about the woods or fields. But ticks are everywhere, including your backyard. Ticks are most active from mid-April through mid-July, but they can be found in the fall and winter as well. Ticks prefer shady, moist areas with abundant leaf litter and tall grass to act as hosts for their young. They can be found in parks, yards, and gardens.
The best way to keep ticks away from your home is regular tick control treatments by a tick control company in Fort Myers like Stat Pest Control. Our technicians know exactly where to look for ticks so that we can target them before they become a problem for you and your family.
