People and pets in the outdoors might have some exposure to ticks in Maine. Whether that’s in your backyard or hiking on a mountain trail, it seems they are everywhere. Ticks are small, oval-shaped arachnids with eight legs. They are parasites found in wooded areas that bite people and animals, attach to their skin, and feed on their blood. There are approximately 850 tick species, with about 90 types found in the U.S. and fifteen found in Maine.
Ticks in Maine will latch onto leaves or branches with a few legs, and stretch out their other legs in the hopes that an animal or human might pass by to cling to. When they do find a source of food, the tick will bite it, releasing a chemical very much like an anesthetic. By essentially numbing the area, the host cannot feel the tick, allowing it to remain hidden. Many common places where you should look for ticks on humans are: under the arms, on the legs, on the hairline, and behind the knees.
Where To Avoid Ticks in Maine
Maine ticks like to hide in shady, moisture-rich places like tall grass and shrubs. Because they are wingless, they rely on the short hairs on their legs and the claw at the end to grip tightly to anything they may need. And they may grab hold of something, such as an animal, to travel around and find a new source of food. Some common choices for them are deer, squirrels, raccoons, and even your own pets. This is called questing. It carries them around from place to place with new opportunities to feed everywhere they go.
The Dangers of Maine Ticks and What They Carry
Ticks can be very dangerous as they carry many viruses and bacteria. Not to mention tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease (a disease transmitted by biting insects). Maine Department of Health and Human Services urges those bitten by a tick who develop a new skin rash or feel ill to seek medical advice immediately.
Five Ways to Protect Your Family Against Ticks
Are you concerned with ticks in your home? Here are some protective measures you can take to stay safe and maintain effective pest control in Maine.
- After spending time outside, always check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks, as they often hide in fur or hair.
- Pet owners should make sure their pets are on a year’s worth of preventive treatment for fleas and ticks, as recommended by their veterinarian.
- Keep your pet from wandering into areas where ticks might be hiding, such as tall grass or brush.
- Make sure to wear clothes such as long pants or long-sleeved shirts when going out near wooded areas.
- You can also apply a tick repellent before hiking, camping, or spending extended time outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I check for ticks after spending time outdoors?
Check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks, paying attention to areas like underarms, behind knees, hairlines, and pet fur.
2. Are ticks dangerous to humans and pets?
Yes, ticks can carry diseases like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Early detection and prevention are essential for safety.
3. How can professional pest control help with tick problems?
Certified technicians provide inspection, removal, exclusion, and ongoing monitoring to keep ticks and other pests out of your home.
How to Find Tick Control in Maine
Our extensively trained and ready technicians are equipped with the best methods to eliminate ticks and have plenty of techniques to prevent them from getting inside your home, making us your trusted Maine exterminator.
Our expertise does not stop there. Our team of trained professionals is also an expert at getting rid of fleas, ants, cockroaches, spiders, rodents, and many other creepy crawlies you don’t want around your loved ones. We understand that your family is the most important thing to you, and we make it our mission to keep them safe as well. When you contact our office, we will send an experienced technician to your property to thoroughly inspect your house and the surrounding area. They will inspect the exterior of the house as well as the interior areas and point out common entry points pests might use. They will then examine the extent of the infiltration and offer ideas of what might be drawing the pest into the area. Our goal is to ensure you don’t have to worry about Maine ticks, thanks to professional pest control in Southern Maine.
Ticks are a serious threat to you and your family’s safety. Stopping these insects from getting inside your home is an important step to protecting your loved ones. Green Shield Pest Solutions is equipped to help you with your tick control problems.
We look forward to meeting with you. Call us today for a consultation.
Learn more here:
Lyme Disease Awareness: Tick Control Matters
Tick-Borne Diseases: Protecting Your Family
Small Yard, Big Problem: Why Professional Tick Control in Gorham, ME, Might Be Essential