1. Lone Star Ticks

What are Lone Star ticks?

The lone star tick is one of the most easy to recognize ticks because of the bright white spot that is located on their backs. Males of this species also have very noticeable white lines around the top edge of their body, these markings are not as noticeable on the females. Before a blood meal the lone star tick is reddish-brown in color and about 1/6th-1/4 of an inch in length.  After they feed and become engorged they turn and a slate-gray color and are about ½ an inch in length. Lone star ticks are found in Western Texas going Northward to Northern Missouri and eastward from Maine to the southern tip of Florida.

Why do I have them?

Adult lone star ticks often bite larger animals, including foxes, dogs, white-tailed deer and people. They are often introduced onto residential properties by wild animals. Lone star ticks cannot survive living in areas that have prolonged exposure to sunlight; because of this they are typically found living in areas of shad, along wooded areas, and amongst low-growing vegetation. Once on your property lone star ticks will hide out in these shaded dark areas until a new host happens along, which if proper precautions are not taken could be you, your kids, or pets.

Common Lone Star Tick Questions

Are they dangerous?

Yes, although lone star ticks are not known to transmit lyme disease, they do transmit other serious diseases to their hosts through their saliva. Diseases that lone star ticks are responsible for transmitting include tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis. Care should be taken around these parasites and professional services should be sought to remove and control these pests on your property.

How do I get rid of lone star ticks?

Eliminating lone ticks from a property can be very difficult because they can be continuously introduced onto it by wild animals. To control lone star ticks on your property, you need the knowledge and experience of a trained professional. The highly trained exterminators here at American Pest understand the habits and habitats of lone star ticks and can eliminate them through our seasonal tick control services or residential Preferred Care programs. Give us a call to learn more about controlling ticks on your property through our professional, effective, and comprehensive services!

Can I do it myself?

There are many DIY products on the market to “eliminate ticks”, but the truth of the matter is that these products are mostly ineffective, to truly control ticks on a property, areas infested by ticks need to be treated and maintained consistently. Also, many of the products at big box stores can be very harmful to people and pets if not used or mixed correctly. The best solution to a tick infestation is to contact the tick control experts at American Pest; our professionals can control tick populations on Washington, D.C. area properties and keep them from becoming a nuisance and danger to you, your family, and pets.

How soon can you get here?

At American Pest, we pride ourselves on our speed and level of service. For that reason, we make every effort to make sure we can be with you the same or the very next day

Is the treatment safe?

Every product used by American Pest has first been extensively tested by the EPA and is registered for pest control use. Only then do we apply it following a strict set of guidelines for use around humans and pets.

How can I prevent this in the future?

Lone star ticks and ticks, in general, are very difficult pests to prevent from being introduced onto your property. However, in addition to putting into place a seasonal tick control service or a year-round pest control plan from American Pest, there are some steps that you can take around your property to help prevent a lone star tick infestation. • Dogs and cats that spend time both inside and outside of your home should be treated with a tick preventative under the guidance of their veterinarian. • Pets should be inspected daily for the presence of ticks on their body. • Make sure that wooded areas or areas of heavy vegetation on your property are cut back away from your lawn; remove piles of wood and other debris that these ticks can hide in on your property. • Keep the grass on your property mowed short. • When spending time outside in areas that may harbor ticks wear long pants, sleeves, and closed toe shoes. Inspect yourself and your children for ticks before coming inside. • Consider removing bird feeders and other wildlife feeders from your property that may attract wild animals to it.

 

 

 

 

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