What Are Ticks and What’s Behind Their Bite?

December 20, 2023

You want to protect your home as much as possible from intruders, and invaders don't just come in human form. They may also be insects like ticks. Luckily, with a professional pest control company, you don't have to live with ticks bothering you or your pets. Here are some more insights about ticks and what makes them tick!

What Is a Tick?

Mosquitoes aren't the only insects that like to suck blood. Ticks are parasitic insects that suck blood by attaching themselves to pets, wildlife, and even humans. Unlike a mosquito, they won't just suck your blood and go away. They attach themselves to their host, feeding on their blood for several days. If you live in Arizona, the most common tick you'll find is the brown dog tick, the American dog tick, and the Rocky Mountain wood tick.

Why Are They a Nuisance?

Any pest can be a nuisance. Ticks are no different, but they can also be dangerous. Unfortunately, diseases such as Lyme disease, tularemia, and ehrlichiosis are just a few ailments these insects can spread. If you're infected with such a disease, symptoms may include fatigue, rashes, joint pain, headaches, or fever. In some cases, fatality can ensue without prompt medical attention.

What Is in Their Bite?

One of the reasons why ticks can spread disease is because they don't just suck blood out of you, but they also spread their saliva. They insert their mouth parts into the skin and inject saliva into it. Their saliva may also contain anticoagulants, which prevent your blood from clotting. It can also numb the initial pain of the bite. Nasty viruses or bacteria linger in this saliva and can cause diseases that they spread. Be sure to remove ticks as soon as possible since the longer one stays attached, the higher the risk of disease spreading. Once the attached ticks have been removed, call a pest control company to ensure you don't have any more ticks on your property.

Do you need a highly regarded pest control company to get rid of ticks in Arizona? Female ticks can lay up to 5,000 eggs at one time, according to our internal resources, so call exterminators immediately, even if you only see a few. At Essential Pest Control, we have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and can remove several types of vermin, including insects and rodents. Contact us today for fast and reliable service.

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