Sharing Important Information During Lyme Disease Awareness Month

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Lyme disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lyme Disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. Each year, approximately 30,000 cases are reported to CDC.  The blacklegged tick is found mainly in densely wooded areas that provide an appropriate environment for animal hosts like deer and mice. That said, in addition to human transmission, dogs are also susceptible to Lyme Disease and other tickborne diseases.

Pestech of Greenville, Inc. is fully licensed and trained to help you prevent ticks on your property in order to keep your family and pets safe. Our experienced technicians use pesticides to control infestations. These types of treatments must be done thoroughly with proper equipment in order to achieve adequate control. The time of day, weather, and climate have a large impact on how well the treatment takes to the area. Our experts are trained in the best practices for these types of applications. They are also knowledgeable about all state and local rules and regulations regarding pesticide application on residential properties.

In addition to professional treatment with Pestech of Greenville, all homeowners are encouraged to create a tick-safe zone in order to reduce their population. According to the Chief Entomologist for the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, there are various landscaping techniques that are found to reduce blacklegged ticks in the yard. These suggestions include:

• Keeping grass mowed
• Removing leaf litter, brush, and weeds
• Restricting the use of groundcover
• Installing wood chip barrier between yard and woods
• Moving wood piles and bird feeders away from the house
• Sealing stone walls and small openings
• Trimming trees and branches to allow more sunlight
• Landscaping with plants that won’t attract deer
• Placing swing sets and playground on mulch or wood chip foundation

When spending time outdoors it’s important to take additional steps to keep yourself, your family members, and pets protected from ticks. This includes:

• Staying on wide and clear paths when possible
• Avoiding overgrown, bushy, and weedy areas
• Layering clothing
• Wearing light colors so ticks are easier to see
• Applying effective insect repellents
• Treating clothing with permethrin
• Checking clothing and body for ticks
• Examining gear for ticks
• Checking pets for ticks before going inside

​If you have pets, veterinarians recommend using a tick preventative. Talk to your vet about the best prevention option for your dog or cat. There are different treatments for each so be sure to discuss this with them in detail and get specific recommendations. To further reduce potential tick bites, check them for ticks each time they come in from outside. If you find a tick on your pet, remove it right away. Click here for removal information from the CDC.

In addition to Lyme Disease, there more than a dozen other types of diseases that are transmitted through tick bites. A report from the North Carolina State Extension found that the blacklegged tick, the American dog tick, the brown dog tick, and the Lone Star tick are the most common ticks found in North Carolina. The Gulf Coast tick has also been found in the Eastern North Carolina region. These types of ticks can be prevented on your properties with service by Pestech of Greenville. Call us at 252-353-4760 to schedule a free consultation. Your East Coast exterminating professionals are honored to serve you with the utmost quality, care, and experience.