TICKS
Ticks are small, bloodsucking arachnids that feed on their host. There are two groups: hard ticks and soft ticks. Both are capable of spreading diseases by passing along bacteria, viruses, and parasites to both humans and animals. Particularly common in humid environments, ticks are mainly found in outdoor areas with woods, shrubs, weeds, and tall grasses. These are all good places from which they can latch on animals or humans passing by. They may also be found in your woodpiles and even bird feeders.
Some common tick-borne illnesses include Lyme disease, southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), ehrlichiosis, and tularemia. In animals, ticks can also cause anemia and paralysis which can lead to death.
If you have a tick problem in your yard, it is important to treat the outdoor environment early in the spring season. This will ensure that your property is “tick-free zone” and will allow you to enjoy your outdoor with peace of mind.
Contact the professionals at Granite City Mosquito Control to make sure you have minimized the chances of ticks coming in contact with you in your own yard or at your event.
