Little-Known Ways To Keep From Being Bitten By North Carolina Ticks

Brad Paisley once famously offered to check a fellow bar patron for ticks. And while this was a very generous offer from the country music star, he is only one man, and there are millions of ticks out there just waiting to sink their teeth into people. Therefore, if you want to cut down on your risk of being bitten by a tick, thus reducing your risk of disease, knowing how to identify them, as well as how to keep them off your body and away from your North Carolina home, is key.

What Kinds Of Ticks Are Local To North Carolina?

• The American Dog Tick – Non-aggressive and slow-moving
• The Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick) – Non-aggressive and slow-moving
• The Brown Dog Tick – Most widespread tick worldwide. Often found near where dogs sleep
• The Gulf Coast Tick – Slow-moving
• The Lone Star Tick – Very aggressive

What Types Of Diseases Do Ticks Spread?

Ticks are known to carry a myriad of diseases that they can transfer to you in a single bite! That’s why it’s essential for you to cut down on your risk of tick bites. Some of these diseases are:

• Lyme Disease
• Alpha-Gal (red meat) Allergy
• Ehrlichiosis
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• Powassan Virus

It’s safe to say, you don’t want any of these diseases. Thankfully, there are a few tips and tricks you can utilize to cut down on your risk of being bitten by a tick.

How To Reduce The Risk Of Being Bitten By A Tick

Often, the activities we love most take us into high-tick areas. These include hiking, camping, and any other activity that takes us out into nature. That’s why you should know the best methods for reducing your risk of being bitten by a tick so you can focus on enjoying your outing. These methods are:

• Wear long sleeves and pants – If you cut down on the areas of your body that are vulnerable to tick bites, you cut down on your risk of being bitten.
• Stick to the center of trails – Ticks tend to reside on tall grass and do not jump. Therefore, sticking to the center of trails should help keep you safe from ticks.
• Avoid tall grass – This is where most ticks are found, so avoiding it will help to reduce the risk of a bite.
• Check your body (and your pets) regularly – being proactive in searching both your and your pet’s bodies for any ticks that may have latched onto you is essential in cutting down risks.

What To Do If You Are Bitten By A Tick

While you may take all the precautions in the world, tick bites do happen. So, follow these dos and don’ts should you be bitten by a tick:

• DO remove the tick.
• DO clean the bite with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
• DO make a note of tick type and date bitten in case of illness.
• DON’T crush the tick.
• DON’T burn the tick.

Crushing or burning the tick while it is attached to you could result in the tick expelling more bacteria into the bite and your body!

Keeping Ticks Away From Your Home

There are a few steps you can take to make sure that ticks stay away from your home. These include:

• Mowing the lawn frequently
• Removing all leaf litter, tall grass, and debris
• Laying a 3-foot wide barrier of gravel or woodchips between your lawn and wooded areas.
• Contacting the Pros at Aruza Pest Control

While these steps should help to cut down on the risk of ticks in your yard, the only way to make sure your home is safe is to contact the professionals here at Aruza Pest Control. Reach out to us today. We are happy to help.

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