Do you play the lottery or gamble in any way? If so, you know how small of a chance there is that you could win money. This does not stop you, however. Why? Because the chance is always there, and that is what matters most. The same is true about ticks but in a more negative way. Every time a tick bites you, there is a minute chance that you will get very sick. For this reason, Memphis, TN homeowners should regularly go out of their way to make sure these pests stay off their property. If you are not yet doing this, we are here today to help.

The Dangers Of Ticks

Not all ticks spread the same diseases—different species in our area cause different problems. To help you better understand your risk, here is a basic description of the two common ticks in our area and what diseases they spread to humans.

The brown dog tick has a dark brown 3.6 mm long, oval-shaped body. Females have an off-white dorsal shield, and males look more mottled. This pest spreads diseases such as Francisella tularensis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

The rocky mountain wood tick is 3.2 mm long, has an oval-shaped body, and is brown in color. When fully engorged, this tick takes on a more grey appearance. Rocky Mountain wood ticks spread diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever virus, and Francisella tularensis.

How Ticks Get Into Homes

Ticks will only stay attached to their hosts for as long as it takes to feed. This process regularly takes 36 to 48 hours. If a tick finishes feeding inside a home, it will drop off its animal or human host indoors. From here, these pests will hide inside carpets, breed, and look for more opportunities to feed. If allowed to do this unhindered, infestations may grow, sparking more serious problems.

What Strategies Work Best To Prevent Ticks

Because ticks mainly invade homes by riding in on animals, if you want to keep these pests out, keeping furry invaders out of your living areas is what you should focus on. Here are some practical ways to protect your home from invasive tick-carrying pests.

Identify holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation and spacing around window/door frames. Seal off these potential entry points using a caulking gun.
Make sure your home’s window/door screens are in good repair and installed properly.
Repair damage to weatherstripping and door sweeps.
Address moisture issues around your property by fixing leaky pipes and fixtures, eliminating sources of water build-up, and using a dehumidifier around particularly humid areas of your home.
Keep unscreened doors, and windows closed as much as possible.
Install a fence around your yard and garden.
Clean your home and property regularly and address food messes as they occur.

One other great way to keep ticks out of your Memphis home is to invest in high-quality flea and tick control for your outdoor pets. Most people choose to use flea and tick collars. If this doesn’t seem right for you, consult your local veterinarian for more options.

The Best Answer To Tick Infestations

The single best way to keep ticks off your Memphis property is to have it treated by a pest control professional. At Mid South Pest & Termite, we offer quick and reliable services to eliminate ticks as they come into yards, as well as long-term control solutions to keep tick-carrying pests out of homes.