How To Identify A Tick Infestation

Appearance - The most common ticks in Hudson Valley include the deer tick, American dog tick, and lone star tick. They vary in size depending on species, ranging from 1 mm (about the width of the narrow side of a dime) to over a centimeter long after a good meal. They have eight legs and are members of the arachnid family. Ticks have bodies comprised of a small head and larger body.

Behavior - Ticks survive on the blood of animals including mammals, birds, and reptiles. Although they have a preferred host, ticks will feed on anything available - including humans, deer, livestock and dogs and cats. Ticks consume blood during all four of their lifecycles, and as a result, pathogens (organisms that cause diseases in animals they infect) can be carried throughout all stages.

Living near tall grass, large properties or near any type of area with a decent amount of wildlife may make ticks more abundant in your area. Furthermore, having your pets or yourself and your family walk in these areas may cause a tick or two to hitch a ride back to your home, being the precursor to a potential tick problem.

Why You Might Have Ticks

If you live in a wooded area and have cats or dogs, you are more likely to develop a tick infestation. Since many Hudson Valley tick species are minuscule, it's hard to spot these parasites, which makes Hudson Valley tick control especially difficult. They often hitch a ride indoors on your pet, on humans, or on clothing and shoes. After they finish sucking the blood from their host, they will drop off and begin laying eggs. They seek out crevices and cracks indoors, or dark areas below or within furniture.

By cutting your grass short and wearing insect repellent when doing work in thick brushy natural areas, you can take steps toward preventing a tick infestation. If you have ever seen a tick on your pet, or if Hudson Valley tick infestations are particularly common in your neighborhood, then you may want to consider getting your dog or cat vet-prescribed preventative medication.

Reasons To Treat Your Tick Problem Immediately

Serious diseases such as Lyme disease are spread by Hudson Valley ticks. Having them on your property and in your home can cause health problems for yourself and your family. Pinpointing and treating a Sarasota tick infestation as soon as possible is extremely important. Our professional Hudson Valley tick control professionals are trained in the most effective tick removal methods.