As someone who’s grown up an avid outdoorsman, I’ve had more than my fair share of run ins with ticks. There have been times where I’ve walked into the woods, only to come out with hundreds of them on me. I don’t mind that too badly, as gross as it may be, because that’s a risk you take out in the woods. But with the rising temperature and the destruction of many of Florida’s natural places, these pests are more and more coming into our homes and yards. That’s why today we’re going to talk about ticks, what species you can expect to see in Florida, and who to tall if you need a Brandon tick exterminator.
Brandon Tick Exterminator: Overview
Ticks are a concerning thing to find on your body at any point of your day. They can spread illnesses and disease, which makes them one of the most concerning pests you’ll find in the sunshine state. Florida is home to several species of tick, and they’re most active roughly this time of year- spring and summer as of the writing of this article. And anytime you go outside to engage in recreation, there’s a nonzero chance you pick one up from the tall grass as you go.
One of the biggest threats ticks posses is the fact that they carry lyme disease. Not only that, but they carry ehrlichiosis as well. If you are proactive you can minimize the risk of both, but neither is something you want to catch.
There are three families of ticks in Florida. But for our purposes, hard ticks are the focus for today because they’re the most common human-adjacent pest of the three. So let’s take a moment to identify some of the common species you may run across and touch on a bit of information about each. When it comes to pest control, knowledge of what to look for and what to avoid are very important when it comes to keeping them off of you.
American dog tick
As the name implies, this is a pest that you’ll often find hitching a ride and sucking the blood of your best friend. They’re the largest tick species in Florida, and can be identified by their brown and white markings across their body.
When you come in from walking your dog, it’s good to check around the paws and ankles before you let them off the leash, just in case they picked up one of these blood suckers on your route around the neighborhood.
Lone star tick
Named after the unique white spot dead center on their back, this is one of the ticks you really want to avoid. The lone star tick is one of the few species that feed on humans from their larval stage all the way into their adult stage. Not only that, but these guys are vectors for multiple diseases. They can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis.
They’re versatile as well, and can be found in wooded habitats, open fields, garden beds, and even your front lawn. This is a species that will have you running for a Brandon tick exterminator due to one unique and devastating property.
They have been implicated in initiating a new red meat allergy growing in the United States due to their transmission of alpha-gal Syndrome. This disease makes you allergic to red meat, including both beef and pork. If you have the disease and consume either, your skin will break out into massive red hives in a life threatening reaction.
The Brown dog tick
This is one of the most common tick in south Florida. If you’re an avid dog walker, there’s a good chance you’ve seen these on your pup at least once after a long walk.
What makes this pest uniquely frustrating is the fact that it’s the only indoor species of tick in the state. They’ll swarm into dog kennels, homes, and business through cracks in the foundation, unrepaired rubber window liners, or any gap you allow.
Like the lone star tick, this species can carry ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Brandon Tick Exterminator: Basic tips
There are ways to reduce the number of ticks you bring inside with you, however. And even during the worst of seasons practicing these basic steps will likely reduce the number of times you have to deal with this nasty pest. And we’ll start with the most simple way to keep ticks off of your body.
When you’re spending time outdoors, be it hiking, mowing, or grilling, try to wear long sleeves and long pants. Closed toes shoes are another must, as much of a sin as they may be to say in Florida. And for a little extra ease when it comes to noticing the ticks on your body or not, try and wear light colored clothing that would contrast with their dark bodies.
Remain on trails and in mowed areas when outdoors. Ticks hunt through a method known as questing. They hang off of long blades of grass with their arms out, waiting to grab you as you move by. So if you stay out of long grass, there’s a good chance you’ll avoid most of them.
Brandon Tick Exterminator: Who to call when you’re infested
Natural pest control methods are the way to go. For a free consultation, give us a call at 1-800-634-1313 or visit our website insectfree.com today. Chemical methods have been proven time and again to be dangerous to you, your property, and the environment.
Established in 1994, Earth’s Best Natural Pest Management has been at the forefront of pioneering an innovative approach to pest management. Over the years, we’ve evolved into proficient masters of alternative pest control, persistently providing the most up-to-date and comprehensive services and insights. Our primary aim is to safeguard your children, employees, pets, and the environment. As we gear up to commemorate our milestone 30th anniversary next year, we reflect with pride on over a quarter-century of service in the business.
