When you take the dog out in a field or enjoy a hike on a trail, the last thing you want is to get a tick on your body. Ticks in Arlington are active throughout the spring and summer seasons. Arlington is home to four tick species; American dog ticks, brown dog ticks, lone star ticks, and blacklegged (deer) ticks.
Take appropriate action to avoid ticks latching onto your body because they can be dangerous and spread disease. If you have ticks on your property, you need the best pest control in Arlington to eliminate the ticks, All Seasons Pest Control. Our trained experts know where to find the ticks and how to remove them so you can enjoy the outdoors free from the fear of ticks.
What Does A Tick Bite Look Like?
Ticks are blood-eating arachnids that feed on the blood of humans and animals. Although many think of ticks as insects, they are arachnids related to spiders, scorpions, and mites. According to a 2019 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tick bites were responsible for 50,865 cases of diseases in the United States. The following are characteristics of a tick bite:
- Changing skin color
- Swelling at the bite location
- Rash (in some cases) around the bite
Although tick bites can be difficult to distinguish from insect bites, they do not usually have the characteristic redness of a mosquito bite, and the wound does not swell as much as a spider bite. If a bull's-eye ring appears at the bite site, take immediate action because it is Lyme disease. If you see patches of small red dots on the skin (called petechiae), it is likely Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The lone star tick is in the Arlington area, and a bite from this tick species often results in a circular rash.
Three Ways To Identify A Tick Bite
To avoid confusing a tick bite with an insect bite, here are three distinguishing characteristics:
- The tick is present at the bite spot.
- The wound is in a warm part of the body.
- There is a puncture mark at the location of the bite.
In many cases, you do not feel the tick bite; therefore, you should check warm, moist areas on your body after hiking in the woods or working in fields. Common areas ticks generally target include:
- Scalp
- Armpits
- Buttocks
- Behind the knees
- Between the legs
- Around the waist
Unlike most creatures, ticks don't bite and leave; instead, they stay latched onto the body.
Do All Ticks Carry Diseases?
Not all tick bites result in disease, but ticks can infect the host with illnesses from bacteria, viruses, and protozoans. The following are commonly associated with tick bites in Arlington:
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever (American dog tick, brown dog tick)
- Lyme disease (deer tick)
- Anaplasmosis (deer tick)
- Babesiosis (deer tick)
- Heartland virus (lone star tick)
- Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (lone star tick)
- Bourbon virus (lone star tick)
- Tick paralysis (American dog tick)
- Boutonneuse fever (brown dog tick)
- Tularemia (American dog tick, lone star tick)
Other diseases caused by ticks include Colorado tick fever and the Powassan virus. In addition to these diseases, tick bites may cause itching, fever, chills, and, in some cases, ulcers.
Tick Control In Arlington Made Easy
Our professionals at All Seasons Pest Control can set your mind at ease and get rid of ticks on your property. You don't want to worry about contracting a disease from a tick on your Arlington property. Contacts us, and let us solve the tick problem at your location.