Are ticks ticking you off? Ticks are not only a nuisance, but also can cause serious health issues with the pathogens they transmit. Knowing how to prevent and respond to tick bites is incredibly important to protect you and your family from these blood-sucking pests.

Habitat

From wooded and vegetated areas to the comfort of the indoors, ticks have the ability to live in many different locations. But one thing all ticks have in common is their use of our furry friends – deer, dogs and other pets – as a host. If given the opportunity, ticks will also jump on humans to secure their next meal.

Tick Removal

Because ticks can transmit Lyme disease and Ehrlichiosis, they should be removed immediately.* To remove ticks from a pet or person at home:

  • Grab the tick with tweezers as close to the skin as possible.
  • Pull steadily and firmly outward, being careful not to leave the mouthparts in the skin.
  • Wash off with soap and warm water once the tick is removed.

*If you are concerned about a tick bite, contact a medical professional.

Prevention

Ticks are not seasonal pests, but they tend to be more problematic during the spring and summer when people are spending more time outdoors. If you enjoy spending your time outdoors, there are a few precautionary steps you can take to avoid bringing one of these hitchhikers into your home:

  • Keep up with your yard’s landscaping and keep the grass mowed.
  • Stay on paths when walking through wooded areas.
  • Inspect your body, arms and legs for ticks when you return indoors.
  • Keep pets away from wooded areas.

Common Ticks

Brown Dog Tick

  • Habitat: Indoors
  • Primary hosts: Dogs and other pets
  • Health threats: Tick paralysis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Blacklegged Tick (or Deer Tick)

  • Habitat: Wooded and vegetated areas
  • Primary hosts: Deer
  • Health threats: Lyme disease

Lyme Disease

Blacklegged ticks can pick up the bacteria that causes Lyme disease if they feed on infected deer or rodents. Lyme disease is a bacterial disease that causes flu-like symptoms in the short-term. However, some people show little or no symptoms, making the disease hard to detect. If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause brain damage and serious heart conditions.

Guide to Managing Ticks

Download our Guide to Managing Ticks to learn how to identify these dangerous pests and help prevent them from impacting your household’s health.