Picking up hitchhikers is always a gamble. Some are friendly, kind, and just looking for a ride to their next destination, while others are less savory individuals who prey on the kindness of well-meaning citizens. Still, you wouldn't take a hitchhiker home with you, would you? Well, you may be surprised; Opelika residents take home hitchhikers all the time, but not the kind you're thinking of. Ticks are one of nature's deadliest hitchhikers, and they could be on your property without you even knowing it.
Ticks To Look Out For In Opelika
There are actually three different families of ticks, but the only one you need to be worried about in Opelika is the hard tick. Among this family, there are four different species most commonly found in Alabama:
- Lone star tick
- Deer tick
- Gulf Coast tick
- Dog tick
General size and coloring vary between species, but they all have very similar appearances. These tiny insects are within the arachnid class, and they have eight legs to prove it. They have flat, round, or oval-shaped bodies, usually dusty to reddish-brown in color, and have head-like mouthparts they use to burrow into the skin and feed off of their hosts.
What Makes Ticks So Dangerous?
Ticks are known for infecting unsuspecting hosts with some deadly diseases. If you manage to catch them while they're still crawling in search of a good spot to latch on, or within the first 24-36 hours, you should be in the clear. Unfortunately, these insects feed for up to five to seven days, which gives them plenty of time to pass on several diseases:
- Lyme disease
- Anaplasmosis
- Babesiosis
- Ehrlichiosis
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Tularemia
Ticks: Where Are They Found, And How Did They Invade My Opelika Property?
More often than not, we tend to self-sabotage with tick infestations. They're usually found in the wilderness, clinging to tree branches, dense underbrush, and tall grass in search of their next host. So in the summertime, when the day is just too beautiful to be spent indoors, we venture off into the woods to enjoy some fresh air and scenic exercise, only to come home and carry deadly parasites right over the threshold.
Other times, we accidentally invite them onto our property under the guise of rodents. Animals like raccoons, rats, mice, birds, and even squirrels are usually teeming with these critters. Improper food storage, undetected water damage, and unsealed outdoor trash cans will attract infested animals to our property and then leave behind ticks as a cruel Thank You present.
Deterring A Tick Infestation In Opelika
Outdoor pests like ticks can be difficult to control, but if you know how to keep them away, you can stop an infestation before it even starts:
- Keep tight-fitting lids on all outdoor trash cans
- Make sure your lawn is draining properly
- Fix any cracks and holes in the exterior of your home; walls, exposed wood, foundation, gaps between pipes and wires, roof, trim
- Trim back overhanging tree branches, out of control bushes, and remove any underbrush in your yard
- Fill in any holes on your property
- Mow your lawn regularly in the summer
- Remove wood, brush, and leaf piles from your property
How To Get Rid Of A Tick Infestation On Your Opelika Property
Ticks are such small creatures, you probably won't even know you have a problem until it's too late. Depending on DIY extermination methods can be costly, ineffective, and even harmful to the environment, so it's always best to call in the professionals. Luckily for you, our pest experts at Prewett Pest Control know exactly how to handle a tick infestation.
As the saying goes, modern problems require modern solutions, and we're here to provide just that. Our company is dedicated to bringing the pest control business into the 21st century, and that means making pest control even more accessible than ever before! We even use cutting-edge technology in our pest control treatments, and we're determined to provide 100% satisfaction to all of our customers. Get in contact with us today, and get back to enjoying some backyard fun in no time.