Dave Macchia, Author at Tick Control in Central Mass

Can You Spray Your Yard for Mosquitoes and Ticks?

Yes. Spraying yards for mosquitoes and ticks has become a common practice for many homeowners.

There are a couple of reasons to deploy mosquito and tick control. These pests are bothersome, but can also be dangerous. Both mosquitoes and ticks are vectors of insect-borne illnesses. These include Lyme disease, West Nile virus, babesiosis, and dreaded heartworm disease in pets.

ticks and mosquitoes can be sprayed for — Can you spray for ticks and mosquitoes?

How long does tick and mosquito spray last?

While spraying can effectively reduce mosquito and tick populations in treated areas, its efficacy may vary depending on factors such as application technique, weather conditions, and the specific species present. If you enlist the help of professionals to help shield your yard against mosquitoes and ticks, the treatment can last up to three weeks. Other purported mosquito and tick control sprays claim to offer protection for up to 12 weeks.

How do you keep mosquitoes and ticks away?

There are quite a few ways you can augment the efficacy of your mosquito and tick control spray. Simple yard maintenance and landscaping techniques can make your property less pest-friendly.

Do these things in addition to your professional mosquito and tick control services.

Create a cedar mulch border around your yard from wooded areas
Plant lavender, eucalyptus, or garlic
Keep areas that collect standing water free of water (toys, flower pots, pool paraphernalia)
Add an agitator to bird baths or water barrels
Keep your lawn cut and dispose of grass clippings
Encourage your neighbors to keep their property maintained and treated for mosquitoes and ticks

How can you keep pests away when you are away from home?

DEET-based products are the most effective broad spectrum pest repellents. These products can help you repel mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and more when out in nature. It is very important that you use DEET repellent as directed on the label. Never spray your pets with insect repellents, no matter what. If you are using DEET products on children, make sure you use a concentration that is safe for them.

If you are spending a lot of time hiking or camping, it is recommended to wear long sleeves, tuck your pants into your socks, and reveal as little skin as possible. In these scenarios, you can additionally wear permethrin treated clothing.

Professional pest control in Framingham is recommended.

You can attempt to protect your yard on your own from the threats of ticks and mosquitoes. However, professional pest control companies will be better able to ensure that your yard is properly treated. Not only that, but they will find trouble areas and break them up, and treat them accordingly. In Framingham and Central Mass, tick and mosquito control are recommended from April through October. However, an early spring or late fall might mean that you need to treat for longer.

4 Reasons You Should Be Concerned About Tick Prevention

Tick prevention is crucial in Massachusetts for various reasons. The prevalence of these blood-sucking arachnids is much cause for concern.

Massachusetts is home to different species of ticks, some of which can transmit diseases to humans. Here are four compelling reasons why tick prevention is essential in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts tick prevention — Ticks in Massachusetts can be harmful to your health.

1. Lyme Disease

Massachusetts consistently ranks among the states with high reported cases of Lyme disease. This tick-borne illness is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Deer ticks, also known as black-legged ticks, are common carriers of this bacterium. These ticks thrive in wooded areas and tall grasses, which are prevalent in Massachusetts. Lyme disease can have severe consequences. It can adversely affect the joints, heart, and nervous system if left untreated. Tick prevention measures are the key to preventing Lyme disease. You should use tick repellents and wear protective clothing out in nature. And don’t forget to call in the professionals to treat your property for ticks.

2. Lesser-Known, Emerging Tick-Borne Illnesses

Beyond Lyme disease, Massachusetts faces emerging threats from other tick-borne diseases. The region has witnessed an increase in cases of diseases like babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and Powassan virus. These illnesses are all transmitted by ticks, some of which have only arrived in Massachusetts in recent years.

Babesiosis is caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells. It can result in mild to severe symptoms, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems.

Anaplasmosis is caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. It can lead to flu-like symptoms, which if not treated promptly, may cause complications.

Powassan virus, although rare, can have severe consequences, including encephalitis. When Powassan results in encephalitis, the afflicted individual has a 1 in 3 chance of dying. Effective tick prevention measures become crucial to mitigate the risk of these emerging tick-borne diseases.

3. Recreational Opportunities Aplenty

Massachusetts boasts a diverse landscape that attracts outdoor enthusiasts. From hiking trails to coastal areas and parks, the state offers an array of recreational opportunities. However, these environments also provide ideal tick habitats. Those who love outdoor exploits, such as hiking, camping, or gardening, are at an increased risk of tick exposure. Wearing long sleeves, using repellent, and staying on designated paths will help allay that risk.

4. Livestock, Pets At Risk

Tick prevention does not stop with humans. We must also protect our pets and livestock. Ticks can transmit diseases to animals, posing a threat to both pets and livestock. In Massachusetts, where agriculture and pet ownership are significant, proper tick prevention measures are vital. This includes using tick control products recommended by veterinarians, regular grooming to check for ticks, and maintaining a safe environment for pets and livestock. Professional tick control services will augment the aforementioned measures.

Search for tick control near me and choose a trustworthy tick prevention company.

Tick control and prevention are of utmost importance in Massachusetts. Taking proactive measures to prevent tick bites is a shared responsibility that contributes to the well-being of individuals and communities across the state. Professional tick control methods are available for homes and businesses, which offer protection all year in Massachusetts.

How long can a black legged tick live without a host?

The black legged tick is a tiny arachnid that is infamous for its role in transmitting Lyme disease.

The survival of a black legged tick is intricately tied to its ability to find and feed on a host. They often feed on the blood of small mammals, birds, or deer. However, these ticks can exhibit remarkable resilience, which allows them to survive for extended periods without a host.

How long can a tick survive without a host? — Can a tick survive without a host?

How long is a tick’s typical life cycle?

Under optimal conditions, a black-legged tick can complete its life cycle in about two years. They progress through various stages, which include larval, nymph, and adult life phases. The time spent at each stage is influenced by environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity. Ticks require a blood meal at each stage to molt and develop to the next life stage.

Are ticks more resilient at different stages of life?

The duration a black legged tick can survive without a host depends on its life stage. Larvae, for instance, can endure for several months without feeding, as they quest for a suitable host. Nymphs, the next developmental stage, are slightly more resilient and can survive without a host for several months as well. Adult ticks can endure for several months up to a year without a blood meal.

How do ticks survive without feeding?

During periods when a tick is not actively feeding, it enters a state of dormancy. This helps the tick conserve energy and withstand harsh environmental conditions. It’s important to note that while ticks can survive for extended periods without a host, they are most active during specific seasons, typically spring and fall when temperatures and humidity levels are conducive to their quest for a host.

The ability of black-legged ticks to survive without a host is both a testament to their adaptability and a concern for public health. Ticks can wait patiently in vegetation, known as questing, with their front legs extended, ready to latch onto a passing host. Understanding the life cycle and survival mechanisms of these ticks is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate the risk of tick-borne diseases.

Mitigate tick encounters with tick control measures.

Ticks can survive for various durations without a host. During each life stage, ticks exhibit different levels of resilience. Their ability to endure periods without feeding contributes to their success as vectors of diseases, emphasizing the importance of tick control measures and public awareness to reduce the risk of tick-borne illnesses.

Is there more than one way to contract Lyme disease?

Are there many ways to get Lyme disease?

Theoretically, there is more than one way to become infected with Lyme disease. But is it likely for you to contract Lyme infection through any other means than the bite of an infected tick?

Is there more than one way to contract Lyme disease?

Can you be infected with Lyme disease via blood transfusion?

The CDC says that even though it has been found that the bacteria that cause Lyme infection can live in stored blood, no cases have been confirmed in this manner.

Can you be infected from kissing another person or your pet?

According to the CDC, there is zero evidence that kissing another person will expose us to Lyme infection. It is also not possible to contract Lyme infection through your pet’s saliva.

Can a mother pass Lyme infection to her unborn fetus?

Experts believe, while is it possible, it is highly unlikely for a mother to pass this disease to her unborn fetus. What’s more, if a mother becomes infected while pregnant, she can receive antibiotics without adverse effects on the fetus.

Can pregnant moms pass Lyme to their unborn fetus?

Who’s at greater risk for Lyme disease infection?

While anyone can contract Lyme disease, some of us are more prone to infection. Children and pets are at higher risk, because they are closer to the ground than adults. Pets even more so because they venture into places, where ticks hide. Fur can obscure a tick on your pet, thereby making them at greater risk to have a tick attach to their body without us knowing. Others, who are at high risk of tick bites are nature-seekers, such as campers and hikers. Additionally, those, who work outdoors are at greater risk of infection. This is simply because they are at greater risk of encountering a tick on a typical day.

Lyme Disease Prevention Through Tick Control & Prevention

Preventing Lyme disease primarily involves minimizing exposure to ticks. This includes using repellents and wearing long sleeves and pants in high-risk areas. It also involves conducting tick checks after outdoor activities. Early detection and prompt treatment can effectively manage Lyme disease, and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Can you get diseases from dog saliva?

Dogs can contract diseases, but can they pass them to their owners through their saliva?

While dogs are our beloved companions, it’s important to be aware that their saliva can potentially transmit diseases to humans. While the risk is relatively low, it’s essential to understand these potential health concerns associated with dog saliva.

What diseases can you get from dog saliva?

Rabies: Perhaps the most well-known disease transmitted through saliva is rabies. This a viral infection affects the central nervous system. Dogs can contract rabies and transmit it through bites, but it can also be present in their saliva. This is why rabies vaccination for dogs is mandatory in many regions.
Capnocytophaga canimorsus: This bacterium is commonly found in the mouths of dogs. While infections are rare, they can be severe, particularly for people with weakened immune systems. It can lead to symptoms like fever, diarrhea, and in severe cases, sepsis.
Pasteurella: This bacterium is found in the mouths of many dogs. When a dog bites or licks a human, it can introduce Pasteurella into the skin, leading to painful and potentially serious infections, including cellulitis and abscesses.
Leptospirosis: This bacterial infection can be transmitted through contact with contaminated water or soil. While it’s not typically associated with dog saliva, dogs can carry and shed the bacteria in their saliva. Leptospirosis can cause flu-like symptoms in humans and can be severe if left untreated. Lepto vaccinations are available, and often recommended by vets.
Staphylococcus: Staphylococcus bacteria, including MRSA, can be found in dog saliva. While it’s rare, infection can occur if these bacteria enter cuts, scrapes, or open wounds, leading to skin and soft tissue infections.
Ringworm: Despite its name, ringworm is not caused by a worm but by a fungus. Dogs can carry and transmit this fungus through saliva or skin contact. It can result in itchy, circular rashes on the skin.
E. coli and Salmonella: Dogs can carry these bacteria in their mouths, and transmission can occur when an infected dog licks a person’s face or hands. While it’s relatively uncommon, these bacteria can lead to gastrointestinal illness in humans.

It’s important to note that the risk of contracting diseases from dog saliva is relatively low. Many people live with dogs without ever experiencing health issues related to their pets’ saliva. However, certain individuals are more vulnerable. This includes those with compromised immune systems, young children, and the elderly.

How to prevent disease transmission through dog saliva.

Maintain good hygiene: Regular handwashing and keeping cuts or wounds clean can help prevent potential infections.
Vaccination: Ensure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations, especially for rabies.
Regular vet check-ups: Regular veterinary care can help keep your dog healthy and reduce the risk of harmful bacteria or parasites.
Train your dog: Teaching your dog good behavior and bite inhibition can reduce the risk of bites.
Supervise interactions: Be cautious with interactions between your dog and vulnerable individuals, especially young children.

While the risk of contracting diseases from dog saliva is generally low, it’s essential to be aware of potential health concerns and take appropriate precautions. Responsible pet ownership, proper veterinary care, and good hygiene practices can help mitigate these risks.

What is the best pest control methods for ticks?

Ticks are tiny arachnids, pests that can pose a significant threat to both humans and animals.

They are vectors for various diseases, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. To protect yourself and your pets from these blood-sucking parasites, it’s essential to employ effective pest control methods.

What are the best pest control methods for ticks?

Here are some of the best pest control methods for ticks:

1. Tend to Regular Yard Maintenance: Ticks often lurk in tall grass, leaf litter, and overgrown vegetation. Keeping your yard well-maintained by mowing the grass, removing leaf litter, and trimming shrubs can significantly reduce tick populations in your outdoor space.

2. Install Barrier Fencing: Installing physical barriers, like deer fencing, can help keep wildlife that may carry ticks away from your property. Ticks can hitch a ride on animals like deer, mice, and birds, so limiting their access can be an effective preventive measure.

3. Wear Clothing with Tick Repellent: When spending time in tick-prone areas, wearing clothing treated with permethrin, an insect repellent, can provide excellent protection. Ticks that come into contact with treated clothing are less likely to attach themselves.

4. Use of Tick Repellent on Skin: Apply EPA-approved tick repellent to exposed skin when venturing into tick-infested areas. These repellents can deter ticks from latching onto you. Be sure to follow the product’s instructions and reapply as needed.

5. Follow a Tick-Check Routine: After spending time outdoors, conduct a thorough tick-check on yourself, your family members, and pets. Ticks need time to attach securely, so early detection and removal can prevent disease transmission.

6. Follow Vet-recommended Pet Protection: To safeguard your pets from ticks, use tick control products, such as spot-on treatments, tick collars, or oral medications prescribed by a veterinarian. These can effectively repel ticks and prevent tick-borne illnesses, such as Babesiosis and Lyme disease in dogs.

7. Employ Landscaping Strategies: Consider landscaping modifications that can help reduce tick habitats. Creating a buffer zone of gravel or wood chips between wooded areas and your lawn can deter ticks from crossing into your yard.

8. Hire Professional Tick Control Services: In Central Massachusetts, it is advisable to enlist the help of professional tick pest control services. They can employ more robust methods to treat your property and address tick problems.

It’s important to note that while these methods can help reduce tick populations and minimize the risk of tick-borne diseases, no method is entirely foolproof. Tick prevention is a layered process that requires a combination of strategies.

Do tick tubes attract mice?

Mice are not attracted to tick tubes. Tick control tubes do not act as mice baits.

However, they do rely on ground rodents’ natural foraging and survival habits. Mice are opportunistic creatures and will use available resources to build their nests, and the soft, fluffy material in tick tubes can be appealing to them. When strategically placed, where mice can find them, they will gather the cotton materials from inside the tubes to take back to their nests.

Do tick tubes attract mice? — Do tick control tubes attract mice?

Why choose tick control tubes for your Acton tick control needs?

Acton tick control is not something to be considered lightly. In fact, our area of the United States experiences some of the highest rates of tick-borne illnesses year after year. Professional Acton tick control must be sought out for your home or business. This means tick spraying in the springtime, summer, and early fall. Later in the fall, tick control tubes should be deployed for uninterrupted protection around your property. Tick control tubes are proven to fight tick populations at their source, resulting in fewer emerging ticks each spring.

What exactly are tick control tubes?

Tick control tubes are devices used to control tick populations in outdoor areas, particularly in regions where tick-borne diseases are prevalent. These tubes are filled with treated cotton balls or nesting material that is designed to attract small mammals, such as mice and chipmunks, which are common hosts for ticks in their larval and nymph stages. While tick control tubes are primarily intended to target these small mammals, some people may wonder if tick tubes themselves attract mice. They do not. Add them to your Acton tick control regimen!

How long does tick spraying last?

There are two tick spraying formulas offered by Hingham tick control companies.

Typically, one application of tick yard spray, as in a barrier protection treatment, will last 14 to 21 days. What is the difference in tick spraying formulas?

EPA registered tick spray lasts 21 days.

An EPA registered yard pesticide spray for ticks is formulated to kill ticks on contact. A micro-encapsulated formula allows this solution to keep on killing ticks for about three weeks. Then, a new spray will be applied.

Natural tick spraying formulas last 14 days.

Reputable tick control companies offer a natural tick control spray in addition to traditional formulations. Natural tick yard sprays will kill ticks on contact and also continue to repel ticks for up to two weeks before another spray is administered.

Tick control tubes augment tick yard sprays.

As fall becomes cooler, ticks will be less active. When colder weather sets in, they will enter diapause, a state of dormancy. This dormancy naturally occurs in the late fall, at which time ticks will seek shelter. They will do beneath the ground, under logs or fallen trees, or even beneath leaf litter or underbrush. Mice also live in these areas. Tick tubes, when placed around your property, are found by mice, who are in search of cozy materials to keep their nests warm through winter. Tick tubes have such a material, but the cotton inside is treated with a pesticide that will eliminate ticks and their larvae. This happens if the ticks come in contact with the mice or the cotton itself. This pesticide is only harmful to the ticks – rodents will remain unharmed in the process.

Tick tubes allow you to employ effective Hingham tick control all year long! This is incredibly important with the rise in tick-borne illness cases each year in the United States. These include Powassan virus, Lyme disease, and alpha gal syndrome – just to name a few!

What animals are responsible for the rise in Lyme disease?

Animal overpopulation of any type can have adverse effects on human existence.

The overabundance of black-legged ticks is one such detriment to human and animal life. But have you ever considered what animals cause more black-legged ticks? Perhaps that is not even the most important factor to consider.

What animals cause more Lyme disease infections?

What animal results in a larger number of Lyme-infected ticks?

I have spoken about this critter before. The quiet and unassuming character that is responsible for Lyme infected ticks is the white-footed mouse. Why is this mouse so integral in the spread of Lyme disease? They are natural carriers of the bacteria that cause Lyme infection. Not only that, but it is reported that up to 90% of them carry these bacteria. Their place in nature, on forest floors and woodland spaces, make them prime candidates for larval ticks to latch onto. Once that happens, larval ticks become nymphs, which are the biggest spreaders of Lyme infection to humans and their pets.

White footed mouse is responsible for increases in Lyme disease. — The white-footed mouse is responsible for increases in Lyme disease.

Do more of these mice result in an increase in Lyme disease cases? Unlike the overpopulation of deer, which can result in more ticks, but not necessarily more cases of Lyme disease, these mice can be directly responsible for an increase in cases.

Which other animals can be responsible for more Lyme cases?

Having too few, rather than too many, rodent predators can indirectly affect Lyme disease cases. Fewer foxes have resulted in more Lyme-infected mice running around your home or outdoor areas that you frequent. This decrease in small prey predators is directly affected by an increase in coyotes across the United States and Canada. The increase in these dastardly fox killers is a direct result of the elimination of larger game, such as bears and wolves.

Tick control is one answer to increases in Lyme disease.

While we do not all hold the power for decreasing or increasing the predators or prey required to decrease Lyme disease cases, we do have some power in the matter. By employing professional tick control methods, available throughout Central Massachusetts, we can help prevent the spread of Lyme infection. This is not to say that every tick eliminated through these efforts will be a carrier of Lyme bacteria, but the fewer ticks you encounter, the less likely you are to contract any tick-borne infection. The best part is, you can maintain this protection all throughout the year, and help interrupt the life cycle of droves of ticks that live around your home.

Dave Macchia, tick control enthusiast — Dave Macchia, Central Mass tick control enthusiast

Also read: Is dear overpopulation responsible for more deer ticks?

Do opossums really eat lots of ticks?

Hold the phone, sound the alarm – this is a piece of contradictory news!

Do opossums really eat large quantities of ticks? Over the last 13 years, articles, blogs, and Social Media posts have been written and shared millions of times. These bits of information, including my own blogs, stated that one opossum could eat up to 5,000 ticks in one season. Notable sources, such as PBS, have reported on findings from a 2009 study, which suggested that opossums were insatiable tick eaters. But are they really?

Do opossums eat large quantities of ticks? — Are opossums tick-destroying machines, wrought by Mother Nature’s own hand?

A new study for a new age.

In 2021, researchers performed specific analyses of the contents of the stomachs of opossums, taken from their natural habitats. Black-legged ticks have been of particular interest, because they transmit Lyme disease, most often from the white-footed mouse, to humans. When the contents of their stomachs were viewed via dissecting microscope, zero tick body parts were identified. Zip. Zilch. Nada.

Does this mean that opossums don’t eat ticks at all?

Further studies must be performed on opossums in their natural habitats to determine whether they eat available ticks. However, the 2021 study certainly suggests that opossums do not prefer ticks over other food sources.

Where did the previous study go wrong?

The 2009 study to determine if opossums eat ticks ran afoul of logic in a couple of ways. First, the study was performed in a lab. Secondly, the conclusion that the studied opossums ate 90% of the 100 ticks in the lab with them was reached without examination of the opossums bodies or stomach contents. Over a four-day period, 100 ticks were placed in a laboratory with opossums. At the end of the study, the number of ticks that had fallen off the opossums were counted. The conclusion that they actually consumed the ticks was reached via assumption that any ticks not found had been eaten.

There is hope with tick control methods beyond Mother Nature’s own.

tick control tubes The circle of life, predator versus prey will always be. By Mother Nature’s providence, there are natural tick eaters. These include chickens, frogs, lizards, and other wildlife. Perhaps the opossum is in that category too, or maybe not. But one thing is for sure. There are effective tick control methods that you can employ to help your family avoid the threat of ticks. Professional, year-round tick control companies provide families peace of mind with barrier protection spray in the warm months, followed by tick tubes in the late autumn and winter.