At Mosquito Authority, we do more than rid your yard and home of mosquitoes; we also offer tick control to protect you and your family from ticks and the diseases they carry. You might just think of ticks as a nuisance to your pets, but they can also harm humans as well.
A variety of tick species can be found in many areas throughout the United States, making the risk for contracting a tick-borne disease high. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 59,349 cases of Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, and other tick-borne illnesses in 2017 alone.
As mosquito and tick control professionals, it is important to us that we educate our customers on the risks these pests pose. In this Tick-Borne Illness spotlight, we will be telling you all about Lyme disease, one of the most common tick-borne illnesses in the United States.
Read on for some commonly-asked questions about Lyme disease and tips for preventing ticks around your home:
Where Does Lyme Disease Most Often Occur?
Cases of Lyme disease have been reported in areas all throughout the United States but are most common in states in the northeast and some states in the midwest. For example, the state of Pennsylvania had 7,920 confirmed cases of Lyme disease occur in 2018, with New Jersey and Connecticut having close to the same amount.
What Is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is the most often reported tick-borne disease in the United States. Although it is very common, Lyme disease can have some very serious symptoms. Symptoms of this tick-borne illness can include fever, rash, muscle aches, and a number of other things. Some of the more serious signs of Lyme disease are facial palsy (loss of muscle tone on your face), inflammation of the brain, and an irregular heartbeat.
How Is Lyme Disease Transmitted?
As mentioned before, people contract Lyme disease after being bitten by an infected tick. The black-legged tick, or deer tick, is responsible for transmitting Lyme disease in the northeastern, Mid-Atlantic, and north-central regions of the United States. The western black-legged tick, on the other hand, transmits the illness along the Pacific Coast.
Ticks can attach to any part of a human or animal’s body, which is why checking for ticks after spending time outdoors is a vital part of DIY tick control. After being bitten by an infected tick, it usually takes about 36 to 48 hours for the host to contract Lyme disease.
What Precautions Can I Take To Help Prevent Ticks Around My Home?
Proper tick control is crucial to reducing your risk of contracting a tick-borne illness. Here are some helpful tips for at-home tick control:
- Mow your lawn frequently
- Clear tall grass and bushes away from your house
- Keep playground equipment away from the edges of your yard
- Check your pets for ticks after they come inside your home
- Hire a local tick control company
Lyme disease is one of many tick-borne illnesses in the United States, with thousands of cases occurring every year. Hiring tick control professionals is the most effective way to reduce your and your family’s risk of being bitten by infected ticks.
We make it our mission to ensure you can enjoy your outdoor space without worrying about ticks. To find your local tick control company.