How to Fight Ticks This Summer

Summer is definitely here.  Along with longer days, gardening, hiking, camping, or just enjoying the great outdoors, come ticks. Whether it’s your furry friend bringing them into your house, or you taking a seat on the grass at the ballpark, no one wants ticks.Tick bites are more than an itchy nuisance. Ticks can carry disease, such as Lyme disease, which is a serious health problem in the U.S. According to the CDC, Lyme disease is estimated to affect approximately 300,000 Americans each year. Symptoms can include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic bulls-eye skin rash. Of course, not all ticks carry disease, but their bite is still itchy and unpleasant and can become infected. Ticks are unable to jump, so they grab on to their host when they walk by. They hang onto a blade of grass with their rear legs and hold their front legs outstretched waiting for you or your pet to brush against them so they can hitch a ride. No one wants to spend the summer indoor worrying about ticks, so here are a few ways to prevent being bitten by these creepy crawlies.

1. Treat boots, clothing, and camping gear with products containing permethrin. This can remain protective through several periods of washings. Use a repellent with 20-30% DEET on your exposed skin. Most of these sprays should last for several hours.
2. Avoid walking through tall grass or heavy brush. Do your best to stay in the center of walking or hiking trails to avoid contact with ticks.
3. Keep your lawn cut short, and prevent animals, such as deer, from entering your property. This can be done with fencing that can not only be useful, but beautiful as well. Hopper Termite & Pest, Inc. can also treat your lawn with a special liquid product designed to eliminate the population of ticks.  Call our office to schedule an appointment for tick treatment today.  Now is the time!
4. Shower and launder your clothing as soon as you are finished with any outdoor activity that may have brought you into contact with ticks. You will also need to remove and dispose of any ticks that may be found on your body or clothing. Don’t forget to check your pets regularly!
5. If you do find yourself with a tick bite and have the above-mentioned symptoms, please seek medical advice immediately. We want you to have a safe, fun, and tick free summer! And remember, call Hopper Termite & Pest, Inc. today at (870) 425-4122 in Mountain Home or Springdale, Arkansas to set up a free pest control evaluation!