Summer is the perfect season for outdoor adventures in Collinsville, IL, but it also brings an increase in tick activity. These tiny parasites thrive in warm, humid environments and can pose serious health risks, transmitting diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and anaplasmosis. Protecting yourself, your loved ones, and your pets from ticks is essential for enjoying the season safely.
Where Ticks Are Found
Ticks are commonly found in wooded areas, tall grasses, and leaf piles, but they can also hide in backyard gardens and parks. They don’t jump or fly but instead cling to vegetation, waiting for a host to brush against them. Because of this, it’s important to be mindful of where you step and what areas you interact with while outdoors.
Reducing Your Risk Outdoors
When spending time outside, wearing the right clothing is a key defense against tick bites. Long sleeves, pants, and closed-toe shoes create a physical barrier, and light-colored fabric makes it easier to spot ticks before they attach. Repellents are also a valuable tool, with DEET and picaridin being effective options. If you’re planning a hike or a camping trip, treating your gear and clothing with permethrin can offer additional protection. Sticking to the center of trails when hiking helps minimize contact with tall grasses where ticks are often found. When returning indoors, conducting a thorough tick check is essential. Pay close attention to warm, moist areas of the body, such as behind the ears, along the waistline, and behind the knees. Showering within two hours of being outside can help remove any ticks that may not have attached yet.
Keeping Ticks Out of Your Yard
Your backyard can become a breeding ground for ticks if not properly maintained. Keeping grass trimmed short and removing excess leaves and brush can help reduce tick habitats. Creating a three-foot-wide barrier of gravel or wood chips between wooded areas and your yard can also discourage ticks from migrating into spaces where your family and pets spend time. Wildlife such as deer and rodents often carry ticks, so minimizing their presence in your yard can be beneficial. Installing fencing, planting deer-resistant plants, and properly storing firewood can help make your property less attractive to these animals. If ticks remain a persistent problem, consider applying tick control treatments or hiring a professional pest service for targeted solutions.
Tick Prevention for Pets
Pets are at high risk of bringing ticks into your Collinsville, IL home. Using veterinarian-recommended preventatives, such as flea and tick collars, topical treatments, or oral medications, can help keep them protected. After spending time outdoors, it’s important to check your pets for ticks, especially around their ears, paws, and underbelly. Regularly washing pet bedding and vacuuming floors can help eliminate any ticks that may have entered the home.
What to Do If You Find a Tick
If you discover a tick attached to your skin, removing it as quickly as possible is crucial. Carefully grip the tick with fine-tipped tweezers as close to the skin as you can, then pull straight up with steady pressure. Refrain from twisting or squeezing the tick, as doing so may raise the risk of infection. Once removed, clean the bite area with soap and water or antiseptic, and monitor for symptoms such as rash, fever, or flu-like illness. If any concerning symptoms arise, seeking medical attention is advised.
If you are looking for a pest control company in Collinsville, IL who can help you keep your home tick free this summer, call Brady Pest Solutions today.
