Tag: lyme disease

Is Lyme disease only from ticks?

Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne illness.  Do you have to get a tick bite to get Lyme disease?

Yes, Lyme disease is only passed through a tick bite.  Ticks are not infected with Lyme.  The are carriers of the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.  Ticks that carry Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii, are the only culprits of Lyme disease transmission.  Lyme is not passed by any other animal.  Lyme is not contagious.  It is not passed from humans to animals.  It is not passed from animals to humans.  The fact that Lyme is so prevalent, yet is only passed through a tick bite, illustrates the impact of ever-growing tick populations.

do you have to get bitten by a tick to get lyme disease
Is Lyme disease only from ticks?

Also read: Are tick-borne diseases contagious?

Which ticks do not transmit Lyme disease?

wood ticks are not known to carry lyme disease
Wood ticks are not known to carry Lyme disease.

The bacteria that cause Lyme disease are transmitted through the bite of a deer tick, also known as a black-legged tick.  Ticks that can also be found in the United States, which do not transmit Lyme disease, are the brown dog tick, American dog tick, wood tick, and Lone Star tick.  But don’t go thinking those tick species are not harmful to humans and animals.  They transmit diseases, such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tularemia, and Southern tick-associated rash illness.

Also read: Dog Tick vs. Deer Tick

Tick control is the single best prevention for Lyme disease.

tick tubes
Tick tubes offer year-round tick control.

The best method of preventing Lyme disease for your family is through tick control and personal protection.  This means that you should protect yourself with tick repellent and protective clothing when you are camping, hiking, or even spending a day at the beach.  Perform full-body tick checks after you are outdoors.  For simple at-home protection, hire a tick control company to treat all the areas outside your home in spring, summer, and fall.  Ultimate tick control measures can be taken with tick tubes in the winter.

Also read: Are tick-borne illnesses on the rise in Massachusetts?

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

Is Lyme disease curable?

Lyme disease is by far the most prevalent tick-borne disease.  Is Lyme disease curable?

There is a lot of confusion around Lyme disease, even though it is widely known, and much talked about.  Even experts cannot come to agreement about Lyme.  Some doctors still do not believe that chronic Lyme disease is real.  Many with chronic Lyme are dismissed as having psychological illness.

Is Lyme disease curable?
Can Lyme disease be cured?

Is Lyme disease curable?

The good news is that Lyme disease is a curable tick-borne illness.  If caught early, Lyme disease can be cured with antibiotics within a few weeks or a couple of months.  The bad news is, since there is no Lyme vaccination, it is only preventable by following personal tick protection protocols.  Humans are likely to become complacent about tick protection when outdoors, whether hiking or going to the beach.  We forget or simply avoid using tick repellent or clothing that will help us not become a tick magnet.

Is Lyme disease able to be cured?
Lyme disease is curable if it is caught early

How do you know if you have Lyme disease?

Early symptoms of Lyme disease are a lot like the flu.  You might experience body aches, fever, chills, and fatigue.  Contrary to popular believe, Lyme disease does not always include a bulls-eye rash.  This is one of the biggest reasons that people put off being tested for Lyme, choosing to just let the flu run its course.  If diagnosis and treatment are delayed, chronic Lyme can be a very real threat.  Chronic Lyme could mean a lifetime of treating symptoms, and result in a lengthy diagnosis process if you do not quickly seek the help of a Lyme specialized doctor.  Lyme disease is diagnosed with a series of blood tests.  If you have been outdoors in high tick season, and begin to feel flu-like symptoms, it is always best to go to the doctor to rule Lyme in or out as early as possible.

Is Lyme curable?
Blood tests will tell you whether or not you have Lyme disease

Central MA tick control for Lyme prevention

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

The single best thing you can do for your home and family in the prevention of Lyme, is to employ a reputable tick control company.  Complete barrier tick protection should be applied to your property about every two to three weeks from April through October.  In cold weather months, you can choose to have your tick control experts place tick tubes around your property.  Tick tubes are essential in controlling the tick population in the springtime.  By breaking up the tick life cycle in the cold months, you will see less ticks when warm weather comes back around.  Year-round tick control is a great investment in your family’s health and safety!

Also read: Are tick-borne diseases contagious?

Elena Delle Donne: Chronic Lyme Disease Medical Exemption Denied by WNBA

WNBA superstar, Delle Donne, takes 64 pills per day to manage chronic Lyme disease.  The league’s panel of doctors denied her medical exemption request due to COVID-19.

When asked if she thought her superstar player status swayed the doctors’ decision to keep her active, Delle Donne said that she hopes that this is a case of having “Lyme illiterate doctors” on the panel.  Lyme disease is still greatly misunderstood by many in the medical community.  Some doctors still claim that there is no such thing as chronic Lyme disease, attributing its symptoms to other diagnoses, including mental illness.  In an open letter, Delle Donne says, “Taking 64 pills a day is the only way to keep my condition under any sort of control. It’s the only way to keep myself healthy enough to play the game that I love — healthy enough to do my job and earn the paycheck that supports my family.” This medical opt-out denial could mean that Donne either must play and risk her health during COVID-19 or sit out games without pay.

How could this affect others with chronic Lyme disease?

Doctors have only recently made the comorbidity correlation between chronic Lyme and COVID-19.  Delle Donne’s medical exemption denial is proof that not all doctors are onboard with the comorbidity stance.  It also could reflect a greater issue that could ripple down to other professions.  Consider teachers and school staff, who might soon be expected to return to school.  If chronic Lyme disease is not recognized as a co-morbid COVID-19 condition, we could see educators, administrators, school nurses, and bus drivers be denied medical exemptions.  Would anyone like to face a decision of giving up their livelihood to potentially save their life?

chronic Lyme disease

Prevention is key for COVID-19 and Lyme disease.

The CDC has guidelines to help prevent contracting COVID-19 and Lyme disease.  Of course, we have all become very familiar with coronavirus prevention methods.  The three W’s: WEAR your mask, WASH your hands, WATCH your distance.  As for the prevention of Lyme, there are essential practices, which can help keep you safe.  When you are enjoying the outdoors, wear long sleeves and pants to protect your skin.  Consider protecting yourself and your family with tick repellent spray and clothing.  When you return from outdoors, check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks.

wear mask covid-19

At-home Central Mass tick protection.

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

Protecting your home and family from the threat of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses means treating your yard with barrier tick protection.  Reputable tick control companies will treat all the areas around your home with an EPA-registered solution that will eliminate up to 95% of ticks in your yard.  These solutions will knock down ticks on contact and continue working with a time-released formula for a couple of weeks at a time.  Regular sprays throughout spring, summer, and fall will keep your family safe.  Tick tubes in the fall and winter will do even more to control the tick population around your home by thwarting the tick life cycle.  Since we do not have a Lyme disease vaccine, prevention is our best hope.

Central Mass Ticks: American Dog Tick vs. Deer Tick

Central Mass ticks have one thing in common.  They want to feed on your blood.

What do ticks look like?The main goal of all female ticks is to get their next blood meal, grow to adulthood, and reproduce.  It’s their driving force.  Both the American dog tick and deer tick are common in Central Mass.  We know how they are the same.  How do they differ?

Central Mass tick: deer tick

Also known as the black-legged tick, this Central Mass tick is the main spreader of Lyme disease.  Most Lyme cases result from the bite of a female nymph deer tick.  It takes 36 to 48 hours for a deer tick to transmit Lyme disease.  Nymph ticks are so small that they are often missed until they become engorged with blood.  The biggest threat for a bite from a deer tick in Central Mass is springtime, summer, and fall.  Though, ticks live in winter in Central Mass.  According to the CDC, adult deer ticks could be out questing for their blood meal in temperatures above freezing.  Deer ticks in Central Mass might also transmit Anaplasmosis, Powassan virus, and Babesiosis.

Central Mass ticks: deer tick

Central Mass tick: American dog tick

Another nasty tick common to Central Mass is the American dog tick, also known as the wood tick.  This tick is not only common in our area, but is prevalent east of the Rocky Mountains.  According to the CDC, the dog tick has limited populations on the Pacific coast.  Adult females are the most likely to deliver a bite to their host, and they are responsible for some serious tick-borne illnesses.  The American dog tick is the most common vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Tularemia.  Dog tick bites tend to be mostly in the spring and summer.

Central Mass ticks: American dog tick

Now is the time for Central Mass tick control.

tick control MassachusettsWarm weather has arrived.  We are spending more time outdoors.  Central Mass ticks are on the prowl.  They are hanging on low-lying vegetation in your backyards and your favorite outdoor areas, like playgrounds, hiking trails, and even the beach.  You can help prevent tick-borne illnesses, like the ones above, by hiring a reputable Central Mass tick control company to spray all the areas around your home.  Barrier tick sprays are available to keep your family safe at home, and should be professionally applied to your yard about ever three weeks throughout “tick season,” springtime, all the way through autumn.  Don’t wait until you find a tick on yourself, a family member, or the family pet.  An ounce of prevention is worth all the cure in the world!  And let’s not forget, some tick diseases, like Lyme disease, cannot be cured.

Also read: What is the most common tick?

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

 

Lyme Disease Diagnosis for Justin Bieber

Lyme disease, often mis-diagnosed, has taken a new very public victim.  Justin Bieber speaks about his Lyme disease diagnosis in his new YouTube documentary.

Superstar, Justin Bieber, recently announced his very private battle with debilitating chronic anxiety, Epstein-Barr, and Lyme disease ahead of his new docuseries on YouTube.  Leading a public life and being on tour brought his overall health and well-being to a halt, leading to the remainder of his last tour being completely canceled.  All this prefaced him seeking medical help, and led to the eventual positive diagnosis.  Justin says that he is, “battling and OVERCOMING.”

Lyme disease is often mis-diagnosed

Lyme disease bullseye rash
Bullseye rash after tick bite

Lyme symptoms are vast and varied!  They are not the same for every person, and can be very different in children and adults.  If a person is bitten, and contracts Lyme, the bullseye rash is not always present.  Without the telltale rash, many victims of Lyme don’t even realize they have been bitten by an infected tick.  All the while, the Lyme bacteria are spreading throughout the nervous system, joints, and even the heart.  They might be asymptomatic for a very long time, or might present Lyme symptoms that mimic other diseases, such as arthritis and mental illness.  Joint pain, fatigue, brain fog, and major behavioral changes are just a few of the vague symptoms of Lyme.  Delayed treatment results in a lifelong battle for many.  Treatment can also become a lifelong battle for those, who are diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease.

More information: Lyme Disease Treatment

children and teens with Lyme
There is much mystery surrounding Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment.

Like many sufferers of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, Justin has been harshly criticized for his appearance and mental state.  This stigma causes many undiagnosed Lyme victims to suffer in silence.  They are often doubted and ridiculed by family, friends, and even their doctors.  “It’s all in your head,” is actually a fair statement in regards to Lyme.  It can be “in your head” – meaning that chronic Lyme can most definitely present in extreme mood swings.  Aided by the frustration of alienation before receiving proper medical care and a clear diagnosis, these behavioral symptoms can compound.  Many PTLDS sufferers admit to having been suicidal – this is especially true in teens.

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

With the prevalence of ticks in Massachusetts, it is imperative that you protect your family from the threat of Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses with year-round tick control and protection.

How do ticks mate? How do ticks die?

If you are a Central Mass resident, you have likely had a tick encounter.  Either on yourself, your children, or your pets.  Those ticks obviously come to the end of their life cycle when found, but how do ticks meet their natural end?  How do ticks die?

The 2-year tick life cycle is much about questing for their blood meal, either to survive and grow to adulthood, or to mate and produce a new generation of blood-suckers.

how do ticks die

Protect your family from tick-borne illnesses with professional Central Mass tick control.

How and when do ticks mate? Once a female tick reaches adulthood, her final quest for the ultimate blood meal begins.  She is looking for this blood, so she can finally mate with an adult male tick.  She will quest for blood sources for days.  Once she becomes engorged, she seeks a mate.

tick laying eggs, courtesy of CDC.gov
Tick laying her army of blood-suckers – courtesy of CDC.gov

How many eggs can one female tick produce? Once the adult female tick has mated, she will lie in wait under cover of leaves, rocks, or in wood piles to lay her eggs.  One female tick can produce 1,500, 3,000, or even up to 5,000 eggs!

How do male ticks die? After an adult male tick has found at least one mate, his life’s mission is complete.  This does not mean that he dies immediately after mating, but they do die eventually after mating.  It could be months before an adult male tick dies.

ticks on poppy seed muffin
Nymph ticks compared to poppy seed – courtesy of CDC.gov

When do tick eggs hatch? It may take less than two weeks, or up to two months for tick eggs to hatch into tiny larvae.  Once tick eggs hatch, these new larval ticks must seek their own blood meals in order to survive and grow.  Once engorged, they molt in the winter, and emerge as tiny, sesame or poppy seed-sized nymph ticks.  Nymph ticks are spreaders of infectious tick-borne illnesses, such as Lyme disease.

How do female ticks die?  Soon after an adult female has produced her army of offspring, she meets her natural end.  Her life is all about getting to adulthood in order to mate and lay eggs.

Central Mass Lyme disease prevention begins with effective tick control.

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

As residents of Central MA we must remain vigilant in the fight against Lyme disease and other diseases, such as the potentially fatal Powassan virus.  Tick control is not a seasonal affair.  There are methods of tick control, such as tick tubes, which can halt the tick life cycle with year-round protection.

Also read: Are fleas or ticks more dangerous?

Have peace of mind with professional Marlborough MA tick control

There is absolutely NOTHING good about ticks. They’re gross little creepy-crawly bloodsucking bugs that have the potential to transmit some seriously scary diseases, including Lyme disease which, as you probably know, is all over the Northeast.

Actually, it’s so bad here that Massachusetts officially declared it an epidemic in 2005. Last year, ticks were so bad that Boston 25 News called it a “tick explosion.” There are other terrible tick-borne diseases here, though, that aren’t Lyme. Things like Babesiosis, that is dangerous to both humans and dogs, and the very scary Powassan virus, which is on the rise.

marlborough ma tick control

In fact, in May 2018 the CDC released a report stating that diseases from mosquitoes and ticks have more than tripled in the United States since 2004, and unfortunately that rate does not appear to be slowing down. Further, the CDC also outright states that 80% of government vector-control organizations are not prepared to deal with this new onslaught of vector-borne diseases. All one has to do is go to the City of Marlborough’s website and do a search for “ticks” and it’ll yield little more than a PDF document, and Mass.gov just offers basic info, which is informational, but on the whole, not proactive in protecting you or your family.

Fortunately, reputable mosquito control professionals pick up the slack where the government falls behind, and with a barrier treatment spray, you’re protected from both mosquitoes and ticks in your yard by nearly 90% for up to 21 days at a time. But if it’s specifically tick protection that you’re looking for, professional Marlborough MA tick control goes above and beyond the standard barrier treatment to make sure ticks in every stage of life are eliminated. Your tick control company will take a two step approach, and enlist the help of some furry friends.

Step one in professional Marlborough MA tick control

Beginning with the same process as a traditional mosquito barrier treatment, treating the perimeter of your yard with an EPA-registered formula on all surfaces except flowers, and work their way inward. They treat bushes, trees, the undersides of leaves, woodpiles, on and under decks . . . basically everywhere. If you have any tall, grassy areas in your yard, they’ll give those special attention, because that’s prime tick territory. It’s where they’re most likely to be found, resting, breeding, and waiting to hitch a ride on their next blood meal. It’s your tick control expert’s job to make sure that’s not you or your loved ones, two legs or four.

Since barrier spray formulas are micro encapsulated and therefore time-released, you’ll be protected from ticks (and mosquitoes, and other biting bugs) for up to 21 days. And since it adheres to everything it’s applied to, it prevents existing tick eggs from hatching, thus stopping the life cycle. Just like a mosquito barrier treatment, recommended reapplication is every three weeks for maximum efficiency.

But then there’s the “the bonus round.”

Phase Two of great Marlborough MA tick control — a.k.a. “the bonus round”

tick control marlboroughIf you do your research online, you’ll find that other outdoor pest control companies stop at a spray when it comes to ticks. Reputable tick control companies take it a step further and use the help of the common field mouse, who is a cute, innocent, and very stealthy “helper” in the fight against ticks. Contrary to their name, “deer ticks” actually pick up things like Lyme disease not from deer, but most often from mice, bunnies, and other small critters who call your and your neighbors’ yards home. This usually happens when ticks are in their larva or nymph stage of life. So tick control technicians will strategically place these small, biodegradable tubes called “tick tubes” in places they frequent.

Tick tubes are stuffed with cotton that is treated with a mild insecticide called permethrin, which is harmless to the small animals but lethal to ticks. The idea is (and this works impressively well) that the mice or other small mammal finds this cotton and bring it back to their nest to cozy it up. In doing so, the permethrin rubs off on their fur, and when a young tick attempts to get its blood meal from one of these animals, it encounters the chemical and is eliminated shortly thereafter. This “straight to the source” approach allows tick control professionals to get rid of ticks in all stages of life and thus, halt their life cycle in your yard, ensuring 90% or more tick elimination overall.

If you prefer to stay as “green” as possible. . .

all natural marlborough ma tick controlTick control professionals also offer an all-natural solution. While all reputable tick control companies’ products are EPA-registered, there are some people that won’t settle for anything less than 100% “green.” That’s why Marlborough MA tick control professionals also offer an all-natural barrier treatment solution for your unwanted pests.

Based on natural oils, this more “crunchy” approach focuses more on repelling these little nuisances than eliminating them. It’s not quite as effective as a traditional mosquito and tick control solution, but it’s pretty darn close — most homeowners notice a reduction in yard pests between 65-80%. Also time-released, this application is recommended to be repeated every two weeks, instead of the traditional three.

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

Billerica Tick Control – Protect Your Home and Family in Billerica MA

Living in New England, you’re likely aware that Lyme disease is everywhere here.

It’s such a big problem that in 2015 it was officially declared an epidemic in Massachusetts. But there are many more tick-borne illnesses on the rise in our area, including Babesiosis (of which Middlsex County seems to be a hotspot) and the the rare, but fatal Powassan virus, which CBS Boston has increasingly been reporting on.

Billerica tick control

While not all ticks are infected with and carry scary diseases, do you really want to get bitten by one and take the chance? Even Billerica Wicked Local has been publishing things about how officials are urging people to be more vigilant about ticks, but their suggestions of “using tick and mosquito repellent, wearing long sleeves and long pants outdoors, and performing periodic checks for ticks on your body” are well-intentioned, but simply not realistic. The Town of Billerica, while also well-intentioned, doesn’t help their citizens much in the way of tick advice, either. Their “Public Health Nurse” section of their website consists of links to elsewhere and PDF downloads.

Billerica tick control step one: Barrier spray

When it comes down to it, when the weather is nice out, who wants to be bundled up in their own yard? That’s where professional Billerica tick control comes in. It is essential to your whole family’s health that you hire a trusted tick control expert.

Billerica MA tick control

Not only do professional tick control companies help eliminate up to 90% of mosquitoes with a specially formulated barrier treatment, the same formula conveniently eliminates up to 90% of adult ticks and fleas on contact, too. It’s pretty powerful stuff, but when it comes to Billerica tick control, you can go one step further to protect you and your loved ones from ticks and tick-borne illnesses.

Following the same barrier treatment process used for mosquito control, your tick control expert will distribute a special bug-eliminating formula to treat surfaces in your yard that include shrubbery, foliage (avoiding flowers), around and underneath decks and patios, and especially tall grass. Special attention is given to the tall grass areas on your property for Billerica tick control since this is typically where you can find them breeding, resting and waiting for their next blood meal. It’s your tick control professional’s job to make sure it’s not you!

Since special barrier spray formulas are designed to be time released, your property will be protected for three weeks once the treatment is dispersed. This barrier treatment has the added benefit of preventing the eggs of ticks from hatching and thus puts a stop to the next generation of these pests. For continuous, worry-free tick and mosquito control in on your property, choose a seasonal plan so you won’t have to worry about rescheduling. You don’t even need to be home when your tick control technicians visit, and they’ll always leave a confirmation of service before we leave.

But Billerica tick control doesn’t stop there.

Step two in Billerica tick control: Going straight to the source

lyme disease billericaLyme Disease and other tick-born illnesses caused by bacteria transmitted most often by the deer tick, but other ticks carry disease, too. Not every tick is a carrier of bad pathogens, but it’s best to err on the safe side. Ticks become infected when they feed on small animals, usually mice, that are infected. By going straight to the source through the implementation of tick tubes, you will be able to stop the cycle of disease where it would normally start. That way, you’re eliminating ticks before they come anywhere near people and pets.

What’s a tick tube? Well, it’s a small tube with biodegradable tubing that’s filled with cotton treated with a solution fatal to ticks. Tubes are strategically placed around your property, and mice and other small animals find them and bring the cotton back to their burrows to make them nice and cozy. When a hungry tick bites and feeds off one of these small animals, it’s gone from this world and one fewer tick to worry about potentially causing anyone damage. These Billerica tick control tubes are a proactive measure that reputable tick control companies take, and help reduce up to 90% of tick populations before they’re able to multiply.

Prefer an all-natural tick control alternative?

natural tick control billericaNot a problem. Reputable tick control companies also offer an all-natural barrier treatment. Professional tick control products are EPA registered, but I understand there are some people who want to be as eco-friendly as possible. Tick control experts have developed all-natural forumlas with essential oils and a few secret ingredients for those who prefer to go this route. While it’s more of a repellant than an eliminator, an all-natural formula is still highly effective —most homeowners notice a reduction in mosquitoes, ticks, and other yard pests by up to 80% using this method. Also time released, I highly recommend reapplication every two weeks instead of the three that a traditional barrier spray would need.

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

Acton Tick Control is a Job for the Pros

Ticks are no joke.

Though tiny, those little critters can have some serious impact if an infected one bites you or your loved ones, whether they have two logs or four.

Acton tick controlIf you live here, you likely know that Lyme disease is a big problem all over New England. According to Acton Wicked Local, there were there were 4500 cases of Lyme disease in Massachusetts in 2016 alone.

But that’s not the only one — there are many other tick-borne illnesses we need to watch out for, including Babseiosis, which is more concentrated in Middlesex County than anywhere else in the state.

While Acton is a part of the Middlesex Tick Task Force, that basically tells you what to do after you get bitten by a tick. And that same Wicked Local article says that public health officials claim “A little bit of vigilance, and some bug spray, can go a long way in reducing the health risks associated with ticks.” That’s a nice sentiment, but it takes more than “vigilance and bug spray” to prevent tick-borne illnesses.

Wouldn’t you rather just avoid these little monsters all together?

That’s when you call a professional Acton tick control company.

Acton tick control should be taken seriously, because these little suckers are nothing to mess around with.

As it happens, the same specially formulated barrier spray treatment that is used for mosquitoes also eliminates adult ticks and fleas by up to 90%. But with ticks, professionals take it one step further to protect people and pets from tick and tick-borne diseases.

Acton Tick Control: Step One

tick control Acton MAThe first thing a reputable tick control company will do for Acton tick control is treat the perimeter of your yard and work inward, just like a traditional barrier treatment. Making sure to treat all the foliage while avoiding flowers, plus surfaces around and underneath patios and decks. But for the ticks, extra attention is given to the tall grassy areas, because that’s where they usually hang out — breeding, resting, and well, waiting for dinner. You don’t want it to be you!

Since a barrier treatment formula is time released, it eliminates ticks, mosquitoes, and other creepy-crawlies for three weeks before needing reapplication. This way it also prevents future ticks by stopping their eggs from hatching, which puts a halt to the next generation,

Acton Tick Control: Step Two

Lyme disease ActonLyme Disease and other tick born illnesses are caused by bacteria transmitted most often by the deer tick, but other ticks are carriers, too. Of course, not all ticks are carriers of dangerous pathogens, but it’s best to err on the safe side. Ticks become infected when they feed on small animals, such as mice, that are infected. By going straight to the source through the implementation of tick tubes, you are able to stop the cycle of disease where it would normally start.

Tick tubes are small, biodegradable tubes strategically placed around your yard. They are stuffed with a treated cotton that entice mice to bring back to their nests. When a tick bites one of these mice, it is eliminated shortly afterward. This extra, proactive step is offered by your tick control professionals for Acton tick control, helping eliminate the tick population in your yard by up to 90%. This method gets rid of ticks way before they come anywhere near you or your loved ones.

All-Natural Tick Control Solution

Acton MA tick controlProfessional tick control products are EPA registered, but if you consider yourself a little more “crunchy” and prefer an all-natural solution, they are available. An all-natural formula with essential oils at its base, repels rather than eliminates, yard pests. Most folks notice a reduction in yard pests between 65-80% using this method. Also time-released, I recommend reapplying this formula after two weeks.

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

Ticks are no joke.  They should be taken very seriously for the health of your family.  I recommend professional year-round tick control for your Acton MA home.

 

What do ticks look like? Can they swim?

Ticks are common in Central Mass, and most of our residents have come in contact with one at one time or another.

In many ways, ticks elude us.  What do ticks look like?  Do ticks have wings?  Can ticks swim? Even though ticks are rampant in our area, many of us still have questions about tick habits and physical traits.  Folks still wonder if they fly.  How they survive winter.  Here is a common list of tick questions and answers.

what do ticks look like?

 

What do ticks look like?What do ticks look like?

Ticks are arachnids, just like spiders.  This means they have four sets of legs.  They are in the sub class Acari, along with mites.  Their coloring can range from light gray-ish white, brown, black, yellow, and brownish-red.  Ticks are a flat, oval shape when not engorged with a tasty blood meal.

nymph ticks are the size of sesame seedsHow big are ticks?

Ticks have three distinct life stages throughout their two-year life cycle.  Larvae ticks are very small, and can be unnoticeable.  In this stage of life, they are about the size of a grain of sand.  In their next stage of life, nymph ticks have grown to the size of a sesame seed.  Adult ticks are similar in size to an apple seed.

Do ticks have wings?

ticks do not have wingsTicks do not have wings.  They do not fly or jump.  Ticks quest by attaching themselves to plants or limbs.  They hold on to leaves and grass with two sets of their legs, and outstretch their other legs awaiting a host to pass.  If you are wondering how ticks cover so much territory, it is because they are transported by their hosts – animals and humans.  The sheer number of ticks in Central Mass might make it seem like they are fast travelers.  This is untrue without a host.  Ticks are just – everywhere!

Can ticks swim?

This is an interesting question, and a common one!  While ticks do not swim, they can survive submerged in water for two to three days.  Do not try to kill ticks by drowning them in the bathtub or swimming pool.  The only surefire method of destroying a tick in water, is by flushing them down the toilet.

Also read: What repels ticks naturally?

Do ticks die in the winter?

Do ticks die in the winter?No, they do not!  Even in cold Central Mass winter temperatures, ticks are resourceful and will survive in nests of other animals or even underground.  Ticks will lie dormant in winter, waiting for warm weather to return, so they can invade our favorite outdoor spaces.

can a tick bite kill you?Can a tick bite kill you?

Tick bites can result in illnesses, such as Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which can make us very sick.  Powassan virus is another tick-borne illness, which can cause a deadly brain infection.  Even people, who have lived through Powassan can remain ill, or even die from the effects.  Recently in North Carolina, former US Senator, Kay Hagan, died three years after contracting Powassan, which resulted in Encephalitis.  She remained ill for three years before passing away.

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

Ticks are not just a nasty nuisance in Central Massachusetts.  They are effective questing insects, who live for their next blood meal.  The single best way to protect your family is with year-round Central Mass tick protection, which includes tick tubes in the winter.