Dangerous encounters with wild animals aren't always violent affairs. Some of Mother Nature's most fearsome creatures are capable of administering real harm while going almost completely undetected.
Ticks constitute a real risk for you and your family. These parasitic little bugs harbor harmful disease, and because their bites are usually painless, it's possible to go several days without noticing you've been bitten. To make matters worse, these creatures are usually quite small, meaning avoiding a tick encounter requires real vigilance.
Here's what you need to know about these creatures and how to keep yourself safe from ticks:
Members of the class Arachnida, these parasitic bugs are relatives of spiders and scorpions. There are many species found throughout the world, feeding on the blood of larger animals of all sorts. And beyond wild creatures, ticks are capable of infecting livestock, and even humans.
As the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported, these animals are notorious for harboring bacteria causing Lyme disease, a dangerous type of infection. There are many other harmful pathogens and bacteria that can live inside of the bugs, and because ticks feed directly on a host creature's blood, it's very easy for infection to spread.
Ticks are usually found in long grass or brush. This offers cover from birds and other predators, but also gives the bugs an opportunity to latch on to passing animals. Unlike fleas, ticks crawl right onto a host, and tall grass or branches give ticks better access.
Leaf litter is another place to find ticks, especially because this offers warmth and moisture for the bugs. In the winter, an insulating layer of snow and the heat from decaying leaves help ticks survive frigid conditions.
No matter the season, do your best to avoid the kind of areas that are most likely to harbor ticks. If you spend an afternoon doing yard work or come home from a hike, you could accidentally be bringing ticks into your home.
Always take the time to conduct a thorough tick check. Look all over your body for these tiny bugs, as they can climb in and under your clothes before biting down.
As the University of Rhode Island's Tick Encounter Resource Center stated, if you have been bitten, the best way to remove a tick is to use a pair of tweezers. Grab the animal by the head, or else you could accidentally leave the jaws burrowed into your skin. Always preserve the animal on a piece of tape, and if your skin becomes irritated or discolored, bring the tick to the doctor for testing.
Your children or your pets might not notice a tick on their body, and this is problematic for two reasons. First, unless you help them look for these bugs, they may not discover an issue. After any time spent outdoors, conduct a thorough inspection.
This step is key, because if you neglect to do so, ticks could spread inside your home. The bugs may not make it past your child's clothing or your dog's thick fur. Instead, a second problem can occur. The ticks could simply find refuge in your carpet or furniture and later wait for a new opportunity to strike.
In order to avoid any risk, start by keeping your yard as clean and tidy as possible. Remove any piles of leaves and trim bushes and other plants.
Consult a pest control specialist on tips for eliminating ticks and other unwanted animals from getting comfortable on your property.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
Not every creature that visits your property is a dangerous nuisance. Many animals actually offer a number of benefits that keep your yard healthy. Predatory animals, in particular, actually offer natural pest control. Here are five common suburban creatures that can help keep more difficult or annoying animals at bay:
The customer is always right, and this is especially true if he or she is complaining about seeing a mouse or cockroach. Pests have no place in your organization, as bugs and rodents will turn away potential business or even lead to a possible lawsuit. Keeping your company protected requires a proactive approach. Work with a pest removal specialist to identify the best ways to stop creatures from infesting your business. Here are just a few ideas for successfully mitigating and preventing any issues:
You might see an influx of rodents at this time of year, because as the weather cools mice and rats seek warmth anywhere they can find it. Unfortunately, that often means inside residential homes. Many homes may experience rodent infestations at this time of year more than any other. Whether they're getting into your garage, basement or kitchen, it's important to put a stop to them before the problem becomes too serious and requires the intervention of a professional pest control agency.
Summer is almost here and before you head out on a family trip or even if you travel for work, consider doing a little research so you become familiar with bed bugs. This will help you identify them quickly and it could keep you from bringing them home unknowingly!
With the promise of summer also comes the promise of bugs. Homeowners have to stay vigilant, lest they find ants - or worse - rifling through their food.
You might've heard that cockroaches can survive a nuclear blast. If the worst should happen and the world succumbs to nuclear war, the cockroaches would reign supreme as the one and only organism left on earth. This hardly seems fair - consider how much time humans have spent trying to control cockroach populations. You might've chased one of them out of the bathroom this morning! So, if they really can withstand a nuclear blast, what chance do we have of managing cockroach infestations at home?
