Tick Identification
What are ticks?
While many think of ticks as insects, they are actually arachnids and are related to spiders. Adults have eight legs, no wings, and an oval-shaped body. A tick's exact color, appearance, and host preference are species-dependent. Ticks do not jump or fly, so they move from place to place on the backs of their animal hosts or the clothing or skin of people.
Ticks are ectoparasites, which means they feed on the blood of their host (human or animal) by attaching themselves to the outside of the host's body. They have specialized mouthparts they use to cut into their host's skin. They then bury themselves into their skin, insert a barbed tube-like structure, and begin to feed on their blood. After feeding, a ticks' body swells in a balloon-like manner, and they grow in size.
Are ticks dangerous?
Ticks are dangerous pests because they carry many diseases and bacteria that can make people and our pets ill. Diseases that ticks can spread, depending on their species, include Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, tularemia, ehrlichiosis, rickettsiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Why do I have a tick problem?
Ticks get into Columbus yards on the backs of traveling and foraging wild animals. When not feeding on a host, ticks thrive in dark, damp areas. Areas of tall grass, thick vegetation, and wooded areas are where ticks live in large populations.
Where will I find ticks?
Ticks, while able to move inside homes on their host's body, are not indoor pests. Most species are not able to complete their life cycle indoors. Ticks are outdoor pests and therefore challenging to control and problematic in a variety of outdoor environments, including:
- The edges of ponds and lakes
- Along the edge of wooded trails
- Grassy yards
- Parks
- Athletic fields
- Campgrounds
- Dog parks
How do I get rid of ticks?
Get rid of ticks from your Ohio property by trusting the experts at 1st Response Pest Management. We are a locally-owned and family-operated pest control company. Our goal is to provide all of our customers with peace of mind and pest-free homes and businesses through our effective residential andcommercial pest control services.
Learn more about protecting your Greater Columbus or Central Ohio area home or business from ticks and other pests with the help of 1st Response Pest Management and our eco-friendly approach to pest control services. Reach out today and speak with one of our helpful professionals!
How can I prevent ticks in the future?
Prevent problems with ticks by putting into place the following tick prevention measures:
- Partner with the pest control experts here at 1st Response Pest Management.
- Work with your veterinarian to place pets on a year-round tick control program.
- After you and your pets spend time outside, inspect yourself and your pets for ticks.
- Keep your grass cut short.
- Remove overgrown vegetation from your property.
- Remove things from your property where tick-infested rodents and other wild animals can forage for food, such as open trash containers, compost piles, and bird feeders.
