It’s a no-brainer for those of us who live in Sacramento: there will be blood, and there will be a whole lot of pesky pests intent on getting their fair share of it!
Here on the western side of America, ticks are just about as common as mosquitoes and fleas. Their hearty nature and heat-loving bodies adapt perfectly with our mild winters and pleasant days. Because of this, there are all different kinds of tick species living here in Sacramento, including:
- Brown Dog Ticks
- Pacific Coast Ticks
- Western Blacklegged Ticks
Although each one of these unique tick species come with a specialized set of physiological components, there are several aspects of morphology that stay the same between species. These include a small oval shaped body and black, brown, and grey color patterns.
Ticks are normally found in areas of tall grass, heavy leaf litter, and large log or rock piles. The more undisturbed an area is, the more likely tick habitation will be. Using a particular type of behavior known as 'questing,’ ticks climb to the edge of leaves, grass, and branches in order to snag a bite to eat. Latching themselves to hosts that have the misfortune of walking too close, ticks will begin to feed on the blood of their victims by burrowing their heads into the skin.
Not all tick bites lead to disease, which may offer concerned homeowners a bit of relief. But don’t let this be the last sentence you read: tick species here in Sacramento do transmit a wide variety of dangerous illnesses, like:
- Lyme Disease
- Anaplasmosis
- B. miyamotoi disease
- Ehrlichiosis
- Babesiosis
- Powassan virus
If you or someone you love is bitten by a tick, follow this three-step process.
- Use tweezers to grab ticks as close to their heads as possible. Do not twist, but firmly pull the creature out of your flesh.
- Wash the area with soap and water to clean it.
- Immediately contact your general practitioner if signs of illness occur within 30 days of the bite.
Ticks are certainly extremely scary and even dangerous pests that could be lurking in your backyard this very minute.
Ways To Reduce Tick Populations In Your Sacramento Backyard
Tick bites are relatively simple to mitigate, but removing established tick populations from the lawn is anything but. Here are some tried-and-true methods of tick reduction around the lawn.
- Keep the lawn well trimmed, and prune trees, shrubs, and other vegetation often.
- Remove sources of standing water, especially in potholes or dips.
- Stack firewood properly, and remove any rotten or high-risk wood from the lawn.
- Wear long-sleeved clothing while in areas of the yard that could house ticks. Thoroughly tick-check yourself after exposure to ensure your safety.
Not seeing the progress you hoped for? Schedule a free home inspection through Pro Active Pest Control to maximize your tick protection now.
Pro Active Pest Control Is Here For All Our Sacramento Neighbors
The most important thing that Sacramento homeowners ought to know about effective tick control is that DIY methods and home remedies will never put a dent in rising populations. Due to their inherent resilience and thick exoskeletons, ticks are no easy targets even in our modern age of innovation.
For expert assistance in dealing with a local tick population crisis, contact Pro Active Pest Control right now. Offering a wide variety of residential and commercial pest control plans, helpful tick mitigation products, and bed bug and rodent control, the professionals at Pro Active Pest Control are fully equipped to help you address your ongoing pest concerns at the touch of a button.