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.

What should I do if I find a tick in winter?

Finding a tick in the winter months might come as a surprise since ticks are often associated with warmer seasons. However, it’s important to be aware that ticks can still be active during milder winter days. If you find a tick on yourself or your pet during the winter, it’s crucial to take prompt action to remove it and reduce the risk of disease transmission.

a tick in the winter can be dangerous — A tick in the winter is unexpected, but possible.

Here’s what you should do if you find a tick in the winter:

1. Stay Calm:

The first step is to remain calm. While finding a tick can be alarming, panicking can lead to mistakes in removal or an increased risk of injury.

2. Remove the Tick:

Using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Avoid twisting or jerking the tick, as this may cause its mouthparts to break off and remain lodged in the skin. Instead, gently pull upward with steady pressure until the tick releases its hold. Be patient, as this may take some time.

3. Dispose of the Tick:

Once removed, place the tick in a sealed container or bag. Avoid crushing it with your fingers, as this can potentially release harmful pathogens. If you’re concerned about disease transmission, you can save the tick for identification or testing by a healthcare professional.

4. Clean the Area:

After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite site and your hands with soap and water. Disinfect the area with rubbing alcohol or an antiseptic solution to reduce the risk of infection.

5. Monitor for Symptoms:

Keep an eye on the bite site for any signs of infection or allergic reaction, such as redness, swelling, or rash. Additionally, be vigilant for symptoms of tick-borne illnesses, such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These can include fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. If you develop any unusual symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.

6. Prevent Future Encounters:

Take steps to minimize your risk of encountering ticks in the future, especially if you live in or visit areas where they are prevalent. This may include wearing long sleeves and pants, using insect repellents containing DEET, and conducting regular tick checks on yourself, your family members, and pets after spending time outdoors. This also includes protection at home, where you spend the most time. Ticks can be lurking about without notice. They can even latch on to you or your pet without notice. Professional Reading tick control is available in and should be employed.

7. Consult a Healthcare Professional:

If you’re unsure about how to safely remove the tick or if you have concerns about potential disease transmission, don’t hesitate to seek advice from a healthcare professional. They can provide guidance on proper tick removal techniques and recommend appropriate follow-up care.

By following these steps, you can effectively handle the situation if you find a tick during the winter months and minimize the risk of complications associated with tick bites. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and stay safe.

Where are ticks most likely to live?

Where Ticks Might Be Hiding on Your Property

Ticks are small parasites that can transmit diseases to humans and pets. These pests are commonly found in outdoor spaces, especially in wooded or grassy areas. If you live in an area, where ticks are prevalent, it’s important to be aware of potential tick habitats to minimize the risk of bites. So, where are ticks most likely to live around your home?

Tall grass and brush:
Ticks love to hide in tall grass and brush, as they wait for a host to pass by. If you have areas of your property with overgrown grass or brush, especially in shaded or moist areas, ticks are most likely to live there. These areas are high-risk zones for tick bites. To reduce the risk, keep your grass mowed short and trim back any overgrown brush or vegetation.
Wooded areas:
Ticks thrive in wooded areas, as they can easily climb onto low-hanging branches and latch onto passing hosts. If you have wooded areas on your property, be cautious when walking through them, especially during peak tick season. Wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. You can additionally wear clothing that has been treated with repellent.
Leaf litter and debris:
Ticks can also hide in leaf litter and debris on your property. Fallen leaves, piles of wood, and other debris can provide an ideal environment for ticks to lie in wait for a host. Regularly clean up leaf litter, keep woodpiles elevated, and remove debris that may accumulate on your property.
Perimeter of your yard:
Ticks can also be found along the perimeter of your yard, especially if you live near wooded or grassy areas. They can crawl onto grass or shrubs near the edge of your property, waiting for an unsuspecting host. Keep the grass trimmed short along the edge of your property and create a barrier with gravel or cedar chips to help reduce the risk of ticks moving into your yard.
Gardens and flower beds:
Ticks can also hide in gardens and flower beds, especially in areas with dense vegetation. They can crawl up plants and wait for a host to brush against them. When working in your garden or flower beds, wear protective clothing and check for ticks on your body and clothing afterward.
Outdoor play areas:
If you have outdoor play areas for children or pets, be vigilant about checking these areas for ticks. Ticks can hide in the mulch, grass, or shrubs in these areas and pose a risk to your loved ones. Keep play areas clean and well-maintained, and regularly check for ticks on any equipment or toys. You can also have professional tick treatment applied to these areas for additional protection.
Animal resting areas:
Ticks can also be found in areas where animals rest or sleep, such as dog houses, kennels, or outdoor pens. They can easily crawl onto animals and hitch a ride into your home. Keep these areas clean, dry, and well-maintained. And regularly check your pets for ticks.

Gardner Tick Control is Essential

In conclusion, ticks can be found in various areas on your property outside, and it’s important to be aware of their hiding spots to reduce the risk of tick bites. Enlist professional tick control to reduce the number of ticks around your home. Regular yard maintenance can help minimize your tick bite risk. Wearing protective clothing and using tick repellent when spending time outdoors, especially in wooded or grassy areas, is also essential.

What attracts ticks to humans?

Understanding the Science of Tick Attraction: What Makes Ticks Target Humans?

As we venture into nature, enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, or simply spending time in our backyard, we may unknowingly encounter one of nature’s stealthiest pests – ticks. These blood-sucking arachnids are notorious for transmitting diseases, making it crucial to understand what attracts ticks to humans. Let’s delve into the science behind tick attraction to humans and uncover the factors that make us an irresistible target.

Body Heat and Odor Attract Ticks to Humans

Ticks are sensory creatures that use their keen sense of smell to locate hosts. They are attracted to the heat and odor that our bodies emit. Ticks are equipped with tiny organs called “Haller’s organs” that can detect heat and moisture in the air. When we exhale, we release carbon dioxide, which ticks can detect from a distance. Additionally, our skin produces various chemicals that can be attractive to ticks, such as lactic acid, ammonia, and fatty acids. These combined factors create a trail that ticks can follow to locate their next blood meal.

Movement and Vibrations Attract Ticks to Humans

Ticks are highly sensitive to movement and vibrations, which can signal the presence of a potential host. When we walk, run, or engage in other physical activities, we create vibrations that ticks can detect. Ticks are also known to be attracted to the edges of trails or paths where hosts are likely to pass by. Therefore, areas with increased human activity are more likely to have ticks.

Clothing and Color Attract Ticks to Humans

Ticks are known to crawl up on tall grasses, shrubs, or trees, and wait for a host to pass by. They are sensitive to visual cues and are known to be attracted to certain colors, such as white and light colors. Wearing light-colored clothing can make it easier for ticks to spot and latch onto us. Ticks can easily climb onto clothing that brushes against vegetation as we walk by. Taking precautions, such as wearing long sleeves and pants, and tucking in our clothes can help reduce the risk of ticks crawling onto our skin.

Blood Type Might Attract Ticks to Humans

Ticks might also be attracted to certain blood types. While research on this topic is still ongoing, some studies suggest that ticks may have a preference for certain blood types, such as type O. Blood type may affect the odor and chemicals we release through our skin, which could influence tick attraction. However, more research is needed to fully understand this factor.

Employ Professional Hingham Tick Control at Home – Protect Yourself Away From Home

Ticks are complex creatures that rely on their sensory organs to locate their hosts. A combination of factors such as body heat, odor, movement, clothing, personal hygiene, sweat, and possibly blood type can make humans attractive targets for ticks. Understanding these factors can help us take precautions and reduce the risk of tick bites. If spending time in tick-infested areas, it’s essential to use tick repellents, wear appropriate clothing, conduct thorough tick checks on ourselves and our pets, and promptly remove any ticks that may have attached to our skin. Consulting with a healthcare professional for further guidance on tick bite prevention and tick-borne diseases is also advisable.

Do Ticks Take Blood?

Ticks need blood to survive and feed from a wide range of hosts.

Your blood is valuable, especially to ticks. Once a tick hatches from its egg, it needs a blood meal at every stage of its life. Without this meal, a tick cannot survive. Ticks feed from mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. They frequently look for blood hosts and are willing to do whatever they can to feed from them. With the right planning, you can guard against ticks and prevent them from biting you and taking your blood.

Tick Blood

What the Life Cycle of Ticks Looks Like

The life cycle of ticks includes four stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. This cycle lasts about two years. The one constant during each of these stages: ticks need blood. In order to move from one life stage to the next, a tick must find blood hosts. If a tick is successful, it’ll be able to reach adulthood. At this point, it can help foster a new generation of ticks before it reaches the end of its life.

How Ticks Identify Hosts

A tick can detect a potential host through its breath, body odor, moisture, and other factors. Oftentimes, a tick will find a well-used path as it looks for prospective hosts. For example, a tick may wait on the tip of a piece of grass or shrub. It’ll hold its front legs outstretched, while its third and fourth pair of legs remain attached to the grass or shrub. If a human being, animal, or any other potential host brushes the grass or shrub, the tick climbs aboard. From here, the tick can bite the host and get blood from it, without the host likely realizing it is doing so.

Will You See Blood If You Squish a Tick?

If you squish a tick, be prepared for a splatter of blood. It’s common for an engorged tick to be filled with infected blood. Thus, when you squish the tick, it will pop. When this happens, blood can splatter, and you may get blood on your hands.

How to Remove a Tick Without Having to Deal with a Splatter of Tick Blood

Using tweezers is the best option if you have a tick on your skin and want to remove it without a splatter. Pinch the tweezers to grasp the tick from your skin. Next, pull upward with steady pressure. The tick may have a strong grasp on your skin. Regardless, if you pull consistently, you can remove the tick.

Tick Control Tips You Need to Know

Expect ticks if you’re going outdoors in brushy, grassy, or wooded areas. Apply an insect repellent on your skin, clothing, and footwear when you visit these areas. This helps you keep ticks off of you. Also, check for ticks and shower within two hours of going to areas where ticks may be present. Of course, if you’re dealing with ticks at home, you may need extra help. In this instance, you can partner with a tick control company.

Don’t Wait to Get a Tick Control Treatment

A tick control company can apply a treatment across your property. This treatment helps you limit the tick population. You can receive regular tick management treatments. As you do, you can keep the tick population at bay long into the future.

Also read: Can a Tick Bite You in the Winter?

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.

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

What is This Tick with a White Dot?

Imagine taking advantage of beautiful autumn weather, out in nature…and you find a tick.

This tick is not the “typical” type you find in Massachusetts. Deer ticks are plentiful here, but this is not a deer tick. What is this tick with a white dot? The tick you have found is a Lone Star tick. The good news is, it does not carry Lyme disease bacteria.

A tick with a white dot is a Lone Star tick

Is this tick with a white dot dangerous?

While Lyme disease is only passed by the deer tick, also commonly called black-legged tick, the Lone Star tick can also make you sick. This tiny blood sucker is responsible for ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and southern tick-associated rash illness, also known as STARI. Tularemia can run rampant through rabbits and rodents, killing them in large numbers. For humans, tularemia can cause swollen lymph nodes, eye inflammation, mouth sores, sore throat, and even pneumonia. Ehrlichiosis can present in humans with symptoms that mimic flu. These symptoms include fever, muscle pain, headache, and stomach upset. STARI has similar symptoms, but can also include an elliptical shaped skin rash at the bite site within a week or so after the bite occurs.

There are two other points of interest about encounters with a tick with a white dot.

As with a bite from any insect or parasite, a skin infection can occur. It is important that you wash your tick bite with warm water and soap as quickly as possible. You can follow up with a bit of rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab. Generally, a skin infection is not the immediate fear after a tick bite.

A bite from a Lone Star tick can cause a lifelong allergy to red meat, called Alpha-Gal syndrome.
Lone Star tick saliva is known to cause redness and irritation at the bite. This does not necessarily indicate infection, and typically goes away in a short time.

Protect your health and home with Grafton tick control.

As with most tick-borne illnesses, the best course of action is tick bite prevention. Out in nature, we must wear long pants and sleeves, and perform tick checks when we return home. At home, professional Grafton tick control companies can help keep ticks away.

Why We Need to Know About the Asian Long-Horned Tick

The Asian long-horned tick has reportedly made its way to Northern Missouri, as recently reported on Successful Farming’s website.

The Asian long-horned tick has the potential to wreak havoc on animals and humans. These ticks are not as famous as other ticks that transmit disease, such as the deer tick, but their potential to spread disease makes them a worthy adversary. Livestock owners are taking heed, as these nasty ticks pose a threat to herds, known as bovine theileriosis. Here are more reasons you should know about these ticks.

Asian long-horned ticks pose a threat to animals and humans.

Asian Long-Horned Ticks Can Spread Serious Diseases

The Asian long-horned ticks can spread a number of diseases, including Parvovirus B19. The B19 virus is a serious concern because it can lead to flu-like symptoms that can result in death in rare cases.

They Have a Rapid Reproduction Cycle

Asian long-horned ticks have a rapid reproduction cycle and large populations are expected to grow throughout the United States. Once a host is infected with a tick, it takes about three to four weeks for the tick to go from egg to adult. The ticks have a one-week feeding period, where they can live on their host for up to five days without feeding. After feeding, the ticks have a three- to four-week developmental period, after which they’ll drop off their host and mate, resulting in eggs that hatch into larvae. This means that ticks can quickly overpopulate areas and spread to other animals and hosts.

They Are Host-dependent on Several Species

Asian long-horned ticks are host-dependent, which means they only live on specific hosts and cannot survive without them. Asian long-horned ticks are found on a number of animals and can thrive in a variety of environments. These ticks can be found on a variety of livestock, including pigs, goats, and cattle, but they also feed on humans and companion animals, like dogs and cats. This can lead to an increase in tick-borne disease, especially in areas where the ticks are new to the ecosystem and have not been able to build up resistance to disease.

They Are Small and Easy to Miss

Asian long-horned ticks are small and have a dark color, which makes them easy to miss. Therefore, it is important to regularly examine your pets and yourself for signs of ticks. When you check your skin for ticks, start at your shoes and work your way up your legs and torso. This will make it easier to inspect your skin and will help you spot the ticks sooner. When you’re checking your pets, start at their feet and make your way up their legs, torso, and head.

The Tick Has Been Found in New Areas of the United States

Aside from the newest finding in Missouri, the Asian long-horned tick has been found in new areas of the United States, such as Florida, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. While the tick is not currently established in these areas, it has the potential to spread and become a major problem if it is not controlled. The tick has seen an increase in the rate at which it is spreading, with populations expanding in range and increasing in density in areas where the tick is already found. This means that the Asian long-horned tick is a threat to the United States and that researchers need to take the tick seriously.

Weymouth Tick Control for Tick and Tick-Borne Illness Protection

For protection against any and all ticks here in Massachusetts, I urge you to call on the experts. Reputable Weymouth tick control providers will offer solutions for protecting your home and family not simply in the warm weather months, but all year long!

The Truth Behind Fall Tick Bites

Even if you don’t live in a heavily wooded area, the coming of cooler, drier fall weather means that the fall tick season has begun.

But even if you’re vigilant about checking yourself and your family after time spent outside, you might still get bitten by a tick. So, what do you need to know about ticks and tick bites? As any camper who spent time in the woods knows, ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease to people and animals. In fact, from 2004 to 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that the incidence of reported tick-borne diseases tripled in the U.S. In this blog post, I’ll explore some of the reasons why this is happening — and what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting one of these diseases.

fall tick bites — Tick bites can happen, even in the fall.

What’s causing the rise in tick-borne diseases?

Researchers have been unable to pinpoint a single reason for the spike in tick-borne illnesses. Instead, it seems that a confluence of factors has contributed to the tick population’s growth and spread. One factor that may have contributed to the uptick in tick-borne diseases, like Lyme disease, is an increase in the number of people living in wooded areas. As suburbs encroach on formerly wooded areas, more people are likely to come into contact with ticks.

Why are tick bites so prevalent today?

One reason tick bites are so prevalent right now is that people are checking themselves less often. In a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers found that the number of participants who self-checked for ticks decreased from 72% to just 46% between 1985 and 2017. That’s despite the fact that ticks are growing in number, are about twice as large as they were 30 years ago and are now carrying more diseases than ever. Finally, warmer temperatures have allowed ticks to survive and thrive in areas in which they had previously died off.

What can you do to protect yourself from tick bites?

It’s important to take precautions to protect yourself and your family from tick bites. And you should be extra vigilant during the fall tick season. Start by wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts whenever you’re outdoors. Ticks are often found in wooded areas, at the edges of trails and in tall grass. Once you’re outside, check your whole body for ticks. And be sure to check your child’s entire body, too. Perform a full-body tick check using a hands-on approach: Kids should check themselves for ticks by using the back of their hands to feel for ticks along their heads, ears and backs, and then carefully examining their bodies using a mirror. Remember to focus on the parts of the body where ticks commonly latch on to people — namely, the back of the thighs, behind the knees, the armpits and hairline.

Why should you continue tick control through fall and winter?

While ticks are more prevalent in the spring and summer, they’re still around in the fall — and winter, too. In fact, CDC research has found that ticks are active in every month of the year in every region of the U.S. Even though ticks are less active in winter, they’re still around and may bite as they wait for warmer weather. Plus, they’re also less likely to be discovered and removed, increasing the risk of infection. That’s why it’s important to continue to be vigilant about tick control through fall and winter. Apply tick repellents to clothing, especially pants and shoes. Perform daily tick checks — especially on children, who are less likely to notice a tick bite than an adult would. And regularly use a tick removal tool to safely remove any ticks you find.

Shrewsbury tick control is for all seasons.

You need year-round tick protection and there are companies, who can provide it. Reputable Shrewsbury tick control professionals can deploy tick control tubes this time of year, and actually decrease the number of ticks around your home next spring. Protection for now – and protection for later, all in one treatment!

No Tick is a Treat, Be Safe This Halloween

Don’t allow ticks safe passage this Halloween.

You know how kids are. It’s always all about the candy. Especially at this time of year, with it getting darker increasingly earlier, these little ghosties and goblins may not be paying special attention to where they are walking on their quest for edible treats. So if you have ticks hiding out in the perimeter of your home, don’t give them a free ride courtesy of the kiddies. Stop them in their tracks with fall tick control.

Tick Activity Is Picking Up, Hopkinton Tick Control is a Must

Earlier this year, WBUR News reported that experts fear climate change could extend peak seasons for tick activity. Central Massachusetts generally experiences two peaks for tick activity, according to the Department of Public Health: from late March or early April through August, and then from October to November. And with October just days away, we need to remain vigilant.

Even worse, those peaks could get longer in the future as temperatures increase due to climate change. Ticks are the ultimate freeloaders, actively looking for food unless they are buried under snow or temperatures drop below freezing. Warmer days and less snow would mean that activity starts earlier in the spring, and extends deeper into the fall and winter.

Also read: Can you bring home a tick on your Christmas tree?

“If you extend peak tick season, you could end up with more cases of disease,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown said, even if the tick population remains the same. “We’ve actually already seen that happen a little bit with our mosquito population … which certainly creates more opportunity for more disease transmission.”

In Massachusetts, ticks are known to be carriers of several diseases, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and tularemia. Different tick species spread different diseases.

There are no population-wide mitigation efforts effective for ticks the way there are for mosquitos, according to Brown, so prevention comes down to individual action.

The Department of Public Health recommends using tick repellent when outside, checking your body for ticks after spending time outdoors, and staying within established paths while hiking.

Stay safe at home and away from home with personal tick protection measures, and professional Hopkinton tick control.