Why Summer Tick Prevention Is Essential For Houston Homes

Now that July is upon us, we will begin to see a significant increase in the tick populations in Houston. Residents in the area will need to protect themselves, their families, and their pets from the serious health risks that ticks can present.

Common Tick Hiding Places In Texas

Due to the hot, humid weather in Texas, ticks can be found just about everywhere outside including in areas of tall grass, in leaves, and on wildlife, and rodents; these disease-spreading pests can even hitch a ride on shoes, clothing, and other items in order to be transported inside your home. Contrary to common belief, ticks do not fly or jump, instead, they have to crawl or hitch rides on passing animals or humans to get from place to place.

Ticks are parasitic pests that are always looking for a host to feed on in order to complete their life cycles. Ticks develop in a sequence of egg, larvae, nymph, and adult, of which all but the egg require blood meals to survive, though they can also survive up to a year without a blood meal.

Ticks Spread Deadly Diseases

Lyme disease is probably the most common tick-borne illness in both Texas and the whole of the United States! Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses can be debilitating and, in some cases, fatal. Early diagnosis is key in diagnosing and aggressively treating tick-borne diseases. Some of the other diseases spread by ticks include Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. Tick bites can also cause mild problems like allergic reactions at the site or the bite. Dogs may experience problems with blood loss, anemia, skin infection, or tick paralysis from tick bites and are also susceptible to Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Due to the fact that the hot, humid, subtropical climate in Texas makes a perfect breeding ground for them, it is hard for Houston residents to avoid ticks; if you haven’t taken the steps in order to protect yourself from these dangerous pests, it is necessary that you do so.

What Are Effective Tick Prevention Tips For My Houston Yard?

There are many problems in life that pest control can solve. Ticks are one of these problems. Now, you do not have to break your bank account to find some freedom from these nasty little arachnids. There are many DIY options that can help you prevent ticks from getting into your home. 

Though tick infestations are extremely hard to prevent as they are most often brought to yards by wild animals passing through, there are some steps you can take to help prevent ticks. Here are a few preventative measures you can implement to help to reduce the risks of ticks on your property:

• Keep your grass cut short by mowing your lawn on a regular basis
• Cut back any thick vegetation on your property
• Eliminate piles of leaves, grass, and debris around your yard
• Do not feed wildlife on your property as they may be carrying ticks
• Use vet-approved tick-preventative products on your pets
• When outdoors, wear long sleeves and long pants tucked into socks
• Wear tick repellent with DEET or another strong, effective tick repellent
• Install a fence around your yard and garden to deter tick-carrying wildlife.
• Identify and seal gaps, holes, and cracks around your home’s exterior foundation.
• Invest in quality screens for exterior windows and doors.
• Make sure to seal windows and doors with weatherstripping and door sweeps.
• Keep all exterior doors and windows closed when you are not using them.

If you're worried about ticks around your yard, perform a thorough tick check on yourself, your children, and your pets after spending any amount of time outdoors; ticks can hide in the creases of clothing as well as in cuffs, pockets, and on shoes, so be sure to check those areas

Although helpful, these prevention tips will only go so far. Ticks are not only a pervasive pest but also a dangerous one to have, especially if you have pets. With so much at risk, you can’t afford to allow ticks to become a problem around your home; you really need professional control for your home and your pets to prevent these pests. Talk with your veterinarian about tick control for your pets. Talk with our team about detailed control services for your home. We would be more than happy to answer any questions you have about these pests and find a treatment time that works best for your schedule.

The best way to reduce the tick population in your yard is to enlist the help of a professional pest control company like Modern Pest Control. Our professionals can effectively reduce ticks around your home and property to help protect you, your family, and your pets from tick-borne diseases. Call Modern Pest Control today for more information about our residential pest control options!