Answering Phoenix's Most Commonly Asked Tick Questions

Nothing is more disconcerting than returning to your Phoenix home, after spending time in the great outdoors and finding a tick somewhere on your body. Ticks are known transmitters of a variety of bloodborne diseases that can be dangerous to humans and our pets. To make matters worse, we often do not know that we’ve been bitten until it is too late. As such, people have a lot of questions about ticks and how to best protect themselves from the threats that they pose. When people have pest questions, we here at Green Home Pest Control have answers. So, without further ado, the answers to your most commonly asked tick questions: 

What Time Of Year Are Ticks The Worst?

In some parts of the country, tick bites increase in the summertime as more people are spending time hiking, camping, and generally enjoying the great outdoors. However, here in Phoenix, ticks are a year-round threat that we must always be cognizant of.

Do Ticks Jump On You?

The short answer is no, ticks are not able to jump. The reason for this common misconception may be linked to the fact that fleas, a different type of parasitic pest, are able to jump quite far. Ticks, on the other hand, hang out on a leaf or blade of tall grass and wait for a potential host to walk by. Then, they latch on without that host knowing.

What Should You Do If You Find A Tick On You?

If you find a tick, remove it immediately. Keep in mind, ticks can spread a number of bloodborne diseases through their bites. Therefore, if you’ve been bitten and you experience aching, rashes, oozing yellow fluid from the bite, paralysis of the extremities, difficulty breathing, weakness in arms and legs, or a severe headache, contact a medical professional right away.

How Do You Know If You’ve Been Bitten By A Tick?

A tick bite typically appears as a small red bump where the bite occurred, not unlike a mosquito bite. However, tick bites are usually painless, meaning you may not know that you have been bitten. But even if you do not see a tick on you, and you begin to experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, seek medical attention immediately.

How Do You Prevent Ticks From Getting On You?

Because you may not know that you’ve been bitten by a tick, it is best to practice tick-prevention techniques both at your home and while spending time in the wilderness. At home, this means making your yard less attractive to both ticks and wildlife that might be carrying ticks. This means:

• Keep your lawn well-manicured.

• Trim back any bushes, brush, or other vegetation around your property.

• Install a protective fence around any gardens.

• Pick up any fallen fruits or vegetables from around your yard.

• Pick up any uneaten pet food.

• Keep outdoor dining areas free of spills, food debris, and trash.

Additionally, while you are out in the wilderness, you should:

• Stick to the centers of hiking trails.

• Avoid venturing into high grass or brush.

• Wear long sleeves and long pants to protect exposed skin.

• Check yourself and your pet’s body for ticks after returning from outside.

For More Answers On Tick Prevention & Control

If you have other questions about ticks or tick prevention around your property, we here at Green Home Pest Control would be happy to help. Our residential pest control solutions can be utilized in single-use treatments or ongoing treatment plans to ensure you have peace of mind no matter where you are on your property. Don’t let ticks make their home in your yard. Give us a call today.