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What Tick Season Means For Tulsa Residents
July 19, 2018
Summer has arrived in Tulsa, and that means that tick season is in full swing! During the month of July, tick populations are at their peak, which means that the threat of tick-borne diseases is at an all-time high. The two most common ticks found in the Tulsa area are the brown dog tick and the deer tick. If you haven’t taken action to protect yourself, your family, and your property from these disease-spreading pests, you may now be dealing with a serious tick problem on your property and require professional help to eliminate them.
Before feeding, brown dog ticks are a reddish-brown color, ⅛ of an inch long, and have flat, elongated bodies; after feeding, however, these ticks expand to about a ½ of an inch and turn a bluish-gray color. As their name indicates, these ticks prefer to feed on dogs and rarely feed on humans. Brown dog ticks can transmit a variety of diseases to our pets including ehrlichiosis which causes flu-like symptoms. While these ticks aren’t generally a huge threat to humans, they do have the potential to transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Deer ticks are oval-shaped, orangish-brown in color, and are about the size of a sesame seed before feeding. These pests become much larger and their color changes to a more rusty red color after feeding. Deer ticks are also commonly referred to as “black-legged ticks” because their eight tiny legs are much darker than the rest of their body. These tiny pests present a much greater threat to humans as they are known to carry and transmit a wide variety of serious life-altering diseases including Lyme disease.
Unfortunately for Tulsa residents, the mild winters and hot summers in our area creates the perfect environment for ticks to thrive. It’s very important that you take measures to ensure that you, your family members, and your pets stay protected from these pests and the diseases they cause all year round. One of the best ways to protect your pets from ticks is to talk to your veterinarian and see which tick prevention medication they recommend for your pet. To protect yourself and your family members, implement the following strategies to limit exposure to ticks and reduce the chances of contracting a tick-borne illness: eliminate hiding places on your property by keeping your lawn and shrubbery trimmed short. It is also a good idea to use tick repellant and wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and long pants when spending time outdoors. One of the best ways to avoid contracting a tick-borne disease is to perform a thorough tick check on yourself, your family members, and your pets before entering your home after spending time outside. The earlier you notice a tick bite, the better; if you have been bitten by a tick, visit a doctor for treatment right away.
When it comes to dealing with severe tick infestations, especially during the summer, professional pest control is the way to go. For help eliminating ticks on your property, contact Montgomery Exterminating in Tulsa! We provide effective tick control treatments and focus these treatments on the most common hiding places for ticks. For Tulsa homeowners, implementing a year-round pest control plan can make a huge difference. Our Home Gold Plan is our most comprehensive pest control and prevention package; this plan provides coverage for 20+ pests, including ticks. At Montgomery Exterminating, our technicians will return every month to stay on top of the tick populations in your yard and help you avoid experiencing a severe tick infestation. To learn more about ticks, check out this blog. Contact us at Montgomery Exterminating to learn more about our tick control options or to get started today!
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