How Ticks Get Into Pittsburgh Homes
Ticks can infiltrate your home by hitching a ride on you, your pets, or wildlife pests like mice and rats. They are attracted to moist or shaded areas around your property, often found in landscaping or tall grass. These areas provide the necessary moisture for ticks to survive.
Preventing Tick Entry
- Landscaping Awareness: Be cautious when tending to plants in your landscaping, especially in shaded or damp areas, to avoid picking up ticks.
- Pet Management: Prevent pets from wandering into tick-prone locations by creating a fenced-in outdoor play area.
- Dual Role of Fencing: Fencing serves a dual purpose by keeping pets away from shaded spots and preventing wildlife from introducing ticks into your home.
Tick Entry During Fall
As winter approaches, rodents seek warmth and may enter homes through gaps or cracks in the exterior. Rodents exploring your property may carry ticks inside, leading to potential infestations.
Tick-Borne Disease Awareness
- Severity of Tick-Borne Illnesses: Tick-borne diseases can be serious, with some being fatal if left untreated.
- Common Tick-Borne Diseases: Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and others pose health risks. According to the CDC, tick-borne diseases have tripled since 2004.
- Symptoms of Tick-Borne Diseases: Fever, rash, muscle aches, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are common symptoms. Chronic stages can lead to lifelong health problems.
Common Mistakes in Dealing with Tick Problems
- Pet-Centric Approach: Many mistakenly focus solely on pets, assuming they are the primary source of ticks, neglecting the role of rodents.
- Incomplete Understanding of Tick Life Cycle: While addressing pets is crucial, understanding that rodents can complicate the issue is equally important.
Professional Solutions for Tick Infestations
If facing a tick problem, it is advisable to consult a licensed professional for a thorough inspection. Pest control services, such as those offered by Witt Pest Management, can provide comprehensive coverage for over 40 common pests, including ticks and the rodents that carry them. Ongoing pest service ensures a safer and healthier living environment.
If you're dealing with a tick problem in your home right now, it is best to have a licensed tick exterminator in Pittsburgh come to your home and take a look. If you already have service with us Witt Pest Management, it is simple to request a quick check from your pest control technician and get fast answers. If you don’t currently have services with us, maybe now is the time to invest in a residential pest control plan! Ticks and other pests can spread serious illnesses inside your home. But with ongoing pest service from Witt, you'll receive coverage for over 40 common pests that impact Pennsylvania residents, including ticks and the rodents that carry them. This is coverage no residence should be without! For more information, reach out to us at Witt Pest Management today!