Experts predict a tick(ing) time bomb is set to explode this season in yards across the country. We are heading into what is expected to be an extremely heavy tick season. With ticks, come the dangers of tick-borne disease. Protect you family by signing up for yard service to protect you throughout the summer season. KC Pest Control would love to inspect your home and yard at no charge for infestation.
Health and insect experts say perfect conditions are coming together to create a tick population explosion. Specifically, the mild winter has allowed ticks and other insects to thrive and emerge earlier than usual. Those ticks will be looking for their next blood meal – humans!
American Dog Tick
Prevention of Tick-Borne Diseases
The best way to prevent tick-borne disease is to protect yourself and your family from tick bites. It is also important to remember that less than one percent of the ticks actually contain infected organisms. Ticks do not transmit disease while crawling on you. Do not panic if you find a tick attached. If a tick is attached, follow the directions in the Methods for Preventing Ticks section. Keep close watch for any possible symptoms of the diseases caused by ticks. If symptoms develop, see a doctor immediately. All tick-borne diseases can be easily cured with use of antibiotics, especially if treatment is started early.
Methods for Preventing Ticks
Ticks are small and can be easy to miss, especially if they latch themselves onto a hairy pet or a spot on a human that is hard to reach or see. For example, the top of the head or back.
Ticks are more prevalent in tall grass and wooded areas inhabited by large animals, such as deer.
Protect your pets and premises from ticks. Inspect pets frequently for tick infestations. Remove ticks or treat for them.
If your yard or premises is infested with ticks, treat it with the recommended insecticides. KC Pest Control is happy to give you a free estimate to treat your yard and prevent ticks.
Frequently inspect yourself and family members and pets for the presence of ticks, especially children. You should check at least every two or three hours if you are in a tick-infested area. Examine the head and hairline especially close. Crawling, unattached ticks cannot transmit disease and are easy to remove.
To prevent tick populations from building up in your yard, keep ticks off your pets, keep your lawn mowed, and prevent the buildup of all grass, weeds, or brush. KC Pest Control would be happy to help you with your growing tick problems. We take a proactive approach to keeping your family and pets safe and happy.
Call for treatment by a licensed professional. KC Pest Control 405-679-8729
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a disease caused by the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii (R. rickettsii). RMSF is a reported disease in Oklahoma. The tick most associated with RMSF is the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis). The other known tick vectors of R. rickettsii include the Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni), brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus), and the cayenne tick (Amblyomma cajennense). Nearly all humans become infected with the bacteria following the bite of an infected tick. Tick bites from the American dog tick are common in Oklahoma. Fortunately only 1–3% of the tick population is infected and capable of transmitting RMSF.
How Do You Get RMSF From Ticks?
Ticks need at least 4–6 hours of attachment and feeding to pass on the infection to humans. Symptoms of RMSF usually begin 3–14 days following the infected tick bite. There is usually a sudden onset of fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle soreness. A fine, bumpy red rash often appears on the extremities about 3–5 days after the fever. The rash may quickly spread to the palms, soles and trunk. However, not all persons with RMSF develop a rash. Other common symptoms of RMSF include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and red eyes.
Diagnosing RMSF
Diagnosis is based upon clinical signs and symptoms. However, laboratory testing can also help diagnose RMSF. Blood samples taken in the early stage of illness (acute phase) and follow up samples taken 2–4 weeks later (convalescent phase) are used to confirm cases of RMSF through serologic testing. However laboratory testing can take days to weeks for results to become available. Never delay treatment while awaiting laboratory confirmation.
Treating RMSF
The first line treatment for all cases of RMSF is antibiotics (doxycyline). Whenever RMSF is a possibility, treatment should start immediately . RMSF can be a very serious disease. About 3–5% of all persons with RMSF die from the disease. Fortunately, death is uncommon with prompt diagnosis and treatment. Factors associated with worse outcomes include delayed antibiotic therapy and age over 40 years. Although RMSF can be severe, you should not use preventive antibiotic therapy if you are not sick.
Lyme Disease (Borrelia burgdorferi)
Lyme disease is a potentially serious disease caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi). Humans and animals can become infected with B. burgdorferi, following the bite of an infected deer tick (also called the “black-legged tick”). Approximately 80 percent of persons with Lyme disease will develop an erythema migrans (EM) or “bull’s-eye” rash around or near the site of the bite. The rash will generally appear 3 to 30 days (usually 7-14 days) following the tick bite. If you think you have Lyme disease, you should see your health care provider as soon as possible. Lyme disease is a reportable disease in Oklahoma. Generally, you can treat Lyme disease, in its early stages, with antibiotics.
In the United States, over 90% of Lyme disease cases are in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and upper north-central regions. The presence of “true” Lyme disease in the southern states, including Oklahoma, is controversial. This is because B. burgdorferi has never been isolated from a human residing in a southern state. However, other evidence suggests that it could be possible to get Lyme disease in Oklahoma. Studies show that a small percentage of black-legged ticks found in Oklahoma are infected with B. burgdorferi. Although rare, it appears possible to get Lyme disease in Oklahoma.
