A creature’s size does not dictate its threat level. The world’s most dangerous animal is a bug. Although the bug we are talking about today is not the most dangerous, it still poses some serious risks to people in the Houston area. If you have never considered the dangers of having ticks on your property, here are some things you need to know to keep these pests away.
Why Ticks Are Dangerous
You know the saying, you are what you eat? This is most true for ticks. From birth, ticks are not dangerous. It is only once they consume contaminated blood that they become a severe threat. For instance, if a tick bites a dog that has Lyme disease, it then becomes a carrier. The same is true for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and a range of other serious illnesses. All of this is to say, do not take ticks lightly. It only takes one bite for these pests to get you very sick.
What Draws Ticks Onto Properties
Ticks are not mobile creatures. They have a slow crawling speed, can’t fly, and do not have legs powerful enough to jump. Keeping these things in mind, ticks aren’t really drawn to properties. They are drawn to animals and humans. Once latched onto a host, ticks hold on and go wherever the host takes them.
One thing to note with ticks is that they prefer to shelter inside tall grass, thick undergrowth, and shrubbery. As long as these pests have shade and protection from the elements, they are happy. Tall grass and shrubbery also provide ticks with a way to climb up and easily transfer onto animals and humans walking by.
How Do Ticks Get Into Homes?
Ticks depend on animals and humans to get into homes. These pests might invade your home by riding in on one of your furry pets. They might also ride in on you. What most homeowners do not stop to think about, however, is that ticks also ride on common house pests like rats, mice, birds, and bats. It is these invasive creatures that are most likely to be carrying ticks.
What You Should Be Doing To Keep Ticks Out
Because ticks depend on other animals to get around, preventing these pests also requires wildlife prevention. To help you reduce your chances of finding a tick on your body or in your home, here are some tips and tricks to follow.
- Install a fence around your yard and garden.
- Pick up food that drops into your yard from trees, and vines, and after outdoor gatherings.
- Do not feed your pets outdoors.
- Invest in proper flea and tick control for your furry pets.
- Use a caulking gun to fill in holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s exterior.
- Make sure your window/door screens are in good working condition.
- Trim your grass regularly and remove organic clutter from your property.
The Best Solution To Tick Problems
If you are tired of worrying about ticks on your property, consider investing in professional tick control. At All-Safe Pest & Termite, we offer detailed services to treat yards for pests like ticks. We also provide quick fixes for tick infestations. Whether you are looking for a way to enjoy your property better or keep an outdoor event center tick-free for an evening, we have your options here.
Give our team a call today to learn more about our home pest control methods and find a time to have your Houston property treated for ticks.