Tick season is in full swing in Florida, and if you’re worried about ticks in your yard or in other places around your property, you’re not alone. There are many types of ticks in Florida, but the reality is all of them can be dangerous to your family and your pets. Understanding how to keep them out of the yard and off your body when you’re out and about is an absolute must and these tick prevention tips will give you a good head start.
Why It Matters?
Wonder what the fuss is when it comes to ticks? The many types of ticks in Florida carry a number of different kinds of diseases. They can carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is widely considered to be one of the most serious tick-borne illnesses in the United States today. Without treatment, the disease becomes fatal. It is primarily transmitted by the American dog tick, and once you’re infected, you may notice a red spotted rash, as well as high fever, a headache, and a lack of appetite. Gulf Coast ticks transmit Rickettsia parkeri, which results in a sore, fever, and muscle pain. Lyme disease is another possibility. While not very many ticks in Florida transmit this disease (there were just 56 cases in 2010), it is still possible. The symptoms include a rash, fever, fatigue, and a stiff neck.
Tick Control Methods For You and Your Pets
Simply making your property a less attractive place is a good way to prevent tick problems. One way to do that is to keep your lawn mowed. Worried too much mowing will damage your grass? Mow your grass to about three inches every time you make a trim. That’s short enough to keep the ticks at bay but long enough to maintain the root structure of the grass.
Another thing you can do is ensure you don’t have any lawn or leaf debris piles on your property. You’ll want to eliminate grass clippings as soon as possible, and keep leaves and other debris to a minimum. More shaded areas equals the potential for more ticks. Debris piles or trash also tend to give ticks a place to hide, so keeping your lawn area as clean as possible is a good idea.
If your property is bordered by a wooded area, you may want to consider making a path between your lawn and the wooded area to ensure the ticks never cross into the lawn. You’ll want to use dry wood chips or a bark style mulch to build this barrier. Gravel or river rock will work here too. Make certain the barrier is at least three feet wide, and the ticks won’t be able to cross from one space to another.
You may also want to work on keeping wildlife and rodents out of your yard to help prevent tick problems. Simple moves like stacking your firewood neatly and well away from your home in a method that helps to keep it dry can keep rodents and ticks away. Fences that help keep deer and raccoons out may help as well.
Tick Prevention Tips You Can Use Now
If you’re not going to be in your yard, there are still a few things you can do to keep ticks off of you or your pets. It starts with what you’re wearing. If you’re going to be in a tick-infested area, it’s best to keep your clothes buttoned and tucked in as much as possible. Even though it might look silly, making a move like keeping your pants inside your boots is an absolute must. You may also want to wear lighter colored clothing. Wondering why? It makes the ticks easier to spot when you’re out and about. Applying a repellant can help you fend off ticks as well. Make sure you choose one that contains between 15 and 30-percent DEET. You’ll also want to ensure you stay toward the center of the path. When you get back, check yourself and your pet carefully for ticks, and promptly remove any you find.
If you’ve tried everything and you’re still dealing with tick problems, it’s time to call in the professionals. At Slug-A-Bug, we’ll help you deal with ticks and any other pest problems you may have. Give us a call today to learn more.