When summer arrives, people love to spend time outside. Unfortunately, this is the time that bugs are most active—especially ticks. After a day outdoors, it’s important to make sure bugs didn’t follow you inside. If a tick decides you would make the perfect host, you’ll need to know how to deal with it. Check out where to look for ticks and how to safely remove them.
Ticks
Ticks are arachnids that feed on the blood of their host. Their preferred host varies between species, but they will choose other hosts based on availability. Some prefer animal hosts while others prefer humans. When they find a host, they will latch on to their skin, clothing, or fur.
Ticks are small, but their bodies will swell after a blood meal. Their color varies depending on the species, but most are typically a shade of brown.
These arachnids live in wooded areas, grasslands, and inside the homes of human hosts. American dog ticks are most often encountered by humans while the brown dog tick is most often found in homes.
Checking for Ticks
When the temperature rises, ticks begin to emerge. They are most active between April and September. Ticks prefer wooded areas and places with vegetation. Whenever you are in these areas, it’s important to check for ticks after returning inside.
It’s also possible that your yard will make the perfect home for ticks. They are drawn to areas with grass, trees, and shrubs. Those ticks that prefer dogs as their host, like the American dog tick, can find their way to your yard too.
Make sure to take the time to check that they didn’t hop onto you. Ticks like to bite areas that are warm and have moisture. Unlike other bugs that bite, ticks will remain on your skin. You’ll want to keep an eye out for the actual bug. It could be moving, trying to find a place to bite, or it could have already latched on.
Search for them in and around your hair and ears, the back of your knees, the waist, legs, and belly button. Don’t forget to check your furry family members when they come inside too.
Removing Ticks
If you find a tick on you, it’s best to remove it immediately. Follow these steps to safely remove the tick.
Using tweezers, grasp the tick and try to stay as close to the skin as possible.
Slowly, pull the tick upward keeping the movement steady and straight. You want to avoid twisting because the mouthparts could detach. If this happens, use the tweezers to pull them out. If you can’t, it’s best to contact a doctor.
Dispose of the tick by placing it in alcohol, a sealed container, or flushing it down the toilet. Don’t try to crush the tick.
After the tick has been removed, clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. This will help to prevent infection.
If after a tick bite you experience a rash, fever, muscle pain, fatigue, swelling or pain in joints, seek medical attention. These are signs of a severe reaction to the tick bite.
Prevention Tips
Worrying about ticks can put a damper on your outdoor fun. The good news is that there are things you can do to prevent ticks.
Keep your yard trimmed so ticks have fewer places to hide.
Covering your skin when outside can also make it more difficult for them to latch on to you.
You can also apply a tick repellent like our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective Natural Insect Repellent aerosol. It’s an effective and more family and environmentally friendly solution that can even be used on your dogs.
To help keep ticks out of your yard try our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective Mosquito & Tick Killer spray.
Despite our best efforts, sometimes ticks manage to find us. If you find one on you, it’s important to quickly and carefully remove it. We’ve provided steps to help make this process easier for you. If you’re looking for a way to protect your home from bugs, try our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective Pest Control products.