Should You Take Mosquitoes And Ticks Seriously?

Ticks and mosquitoes are no big deal, right? Who hasn't gotten half a dozen mosquito bites while enjoying a campfire cookout? It's just something you have to deal with. And, ticks are no big deal, right? You're not a dog. Well, before you shrug off your next bite, take a quick minute to look at these mosquito and tick facts.

They spread diseases.

Yep, diseases.  Big hitters like; Malaria, Chikungunya, dog heartworm, dengue (also called break-bone fever), Yellow fever, Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile Virus, just to name a few!  All of these are continually monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and some states, like Florida, have taken these so seriously, they have put in place early warning systems. But mosquito-borne illness isn't a hurricane. It doesn't come in one fell swoop. It can happen at any time. Each and every time you get a bite, your chance of getting one of these viruses is increased. Sure, you're probably not going to die, but getting a virus that has the nickname "break-bone fever," is not fun.

Here are a few of the diseases and viruses ticks spread:

• Anaplasmosis
• Babesiosis
• Borrelia miyamotoi
• Colorado tick fever
• Ehrlichiosis
• Heartland virus
• Lyme disease
• Powassan disease
• Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Southern tick-associated rash illness
• Tickborne relapsing fever
• Tularemia
• 364D rickettsiosis

You may have noticed; that is a long list. The tick you found on you yesterday has a chance of having any of these diseases--even several at once. That is why more and more people are turning to tick treatments in their backyards.

Here are some things you need to know about mosquitoes:

• Mosquitoes come out in the morning and evening.
• Mosquitoes are worse after it rains.
• Bug zappers lure mosquitoes in, but are only effective at killing the male (non-biting) mosquitoes.
• Insect repellents with DEET are still the best way to ward off bites.
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus is a good natural alternative to DEET.
• If you don't want to put repellent on your skin, at least put it on your clothing.
• Wear long sleeves and pants, if possible.
• If you tend to get bites while mowing, consider getting a netting jacket and hat.
• A good breeze can keep mosquitoes away. If there is no breeze, try making one with a fan or two. Directing the fans toward your ankles, where mosquitoes tend to bite first.

Here are some things you need to know about ticks:

• Ticks don't fall on you. They climb up.
• Ticks don't jump on you. They climb up.
• Because ticks start on your leg or shoe and work their way up, it is important to keep your pants tucked into your socks if you are walking in tall grass.
• It is also important to wear bright colors, so ticks are easier to see.
• It is a good idea to put insect repellent on your pant legs to encourage ticks to disengage.
• Always check for ticks when coming back in from outside. Some diseases take time to transfer. If you find a tick soon enough, you can prevent illness from spreading to your body. Make sure to get as much of the tick off as possible.

If you aren’t taking mosquitoes and ticks seriously, as you can see, you should be. A great step in the right direction to limiting your exposure to these disease ridden pests is with the professionals here at Thomas Pest Services. Our mosquito and tick control plan will significantly reduce the amount of ticks and mosquitoes on your property. Call us today to see how easy it can be to start winning over these serious threats.