Six Quick & Simple Tick Control Tips For Houston Property Owners
Knowing how to protect against pest infestations isn’t just about keeping your property clean, it’s also about recognizing the many other ways that pests get introduced. Parasites like ticks almost always hitch a ride from the outdoors into people’s homes and businesses. Learning how to spot them and what to avoid may just save you from an infestation.
Common Local Tick Varieties
Generally speaking, ticks are tiny parasitic arachnids that gorge themselves on the blood of large warm-blooded animals. That includes us, humans. In Texas, ticks are so common that we have a species named after our state. Here are some of the most common tick species to encounter locally:
Lone Star Tick: While they reside all over the Western United States and Mexico, these ticks were named after our very own state. They are typically small and dark brown. Females have a big white dot on their backs.
Deer Tick: Also called black-legged ticks, the females of this species are the worst vector of Lyme Disease worldwide. Females have orange or amber blood sacks on their backs, while males are more uniformly brown.
American Dog Tick: So-called for their habit of clinging to long hair and fur, these ticks will nevertheless bother any animal with a pulse. They are a good reminder to check your pets thoroughly before they come back inside.
Where Do You Encounter Ticks?
The vast majority of ticks are outside, and it’s while traveling through their domain that ticks latch onto animals and hitch a ride back to our vehicles, homes, and businesses. Ticks tend to lie in wait on long grasses or other vegetation, where an article of clothing or clump of fur can brush by and provide them something to grab onto. Occasionally ticks get brought in on infested items, like used furniture and clothing. Knowing how you can avoid picking up ticks, and how to properly defend against their populations, is important for avoiding bites.
Tick Prevention For You & Your Property
Since you need to defend against ticks both on and off of your property, here are proper prevention steps to take no matter the environment:
Body Protection
Clothing: When hiking or doing other wilderness activities, it’s important to cover up your arms and legs with protective garments. Choose long sleeves over tees and opt for light pants instead of shorts in summer months.
Sprays: To provide additional protection, you can find several proven topical creams or sprays that ward off ticks and other biting bugs. Don’t think that this will completely protect you, however, or that ticks won’t still hitch a ride.
Inspections: Before getting back to your property, inspect your skin and clothing -- and that of your loved ones -- for any ticks or bites.
Property Protection
Pets: Ticks will attach to any warm-blooded host. It's important to discourage wildlife that might be carrying ticks onto your property but even more so to be vigilant with pets traveling in and out of your home. Work with your veterinarian to find the right preventative measures for your pets.
Vegetation: Ticks aren’t just a woodland pest, they can encroach in our yards and lawns, too. Keep grass and vegetation trimmed back to reduce harborage points for ticks.
Inspections: Routine inspection by professionals is the surest way to stay up on proper tick prevention. Ask your local experts to get started.
The Most Effective Step? Professional Assistance
Even vigilant property owners can find themselves sporting unsightly tick bites or signs of an infestation. These pests are tiny and difficult to get rid of, so it’s a matter of using all the tools at your disposal. The biggest one is the help of professionals, who know all the places to look and all the ways you can keep pests of all kinds at bay.
Whether ticks are already a problem on your property, or if you just want to get started on a peace-of-mind inspection, turn to Modern Pest Control for ultimate protection.