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Tick
Photo Source:PestWorld for Kids
Ticks: Babesiosis and Lyme Disease
Tick Bites Can be Hazardous
Babesiosis and Lyme Disease
Ticks are carriers of two increasingly common diseases: Babesiosis and Lyme Disease. Unfortunately, a new disease associated with ticks has also been discovered by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC): Ehrlichiosis/Anaplasmosis.
Tick-borne diseases are growing in numbers in the northeastern coastal regions of Massachusetts, including Dura Tech service areas of Essex county and Ipswitch. Pet owners and home owners alike need to be aware of ticks and the problems they can cause.
"Lyme disease is caused by the bite of infected deer ticks. Symptoms include a distinctive "bull's-eye" shaped rash, fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches and joint aches. About 15,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported in the United States every year. Almost all of those cases occurred in the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin."
Ticks in Massachusetts
Watch Out for the Deer Tick
In Massachusetts, a common tick is the Deer Tick.
Deer Ticks cling to plants near the ground - especially in wooded, grassy or brushy areas.
While the Deer Tick cannot jump or fly, it clings to humans and their clothing when people or pets brush up against it.
Ticks can bite both small animals and humans, so tick-borne diseases can be transmitted to humans either directly from the tick or from the bite of an infected animal, including squirrels and chipmunks.
A single tick bite can result in a human contracting more than one disease - such as Lyme Disease and Babesiosis - at the same time.
These diseases can be treated effectively when diagnosed early. However, while doctors are getting better at diagnosing Lyme Disease as it becomes more prevalent, the same is not true of Babesiosis, which is still often misdiagnosed.
Ticks are most active in Massachusetts between April and September.
Ways to avoid tick bites and the diseases they may carry are to control the ticks and to practice smart bite prevention measures.
The full Babesiosis advisory from the Massachusetts Department of Health along with precautionary advice on controlling ticks and preventing bites is available online at: http://www.mass.gov/dph/cdc/factsheets/fsbab.pdf.
Bite Prevention Tips
From the Massachusetts Department of Health
You can help prevent exposure to tick-borne diseases by following a few common sense precautionary measures as recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Health:
Wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants; tuck your pants legs into your socks when around areas that could contain ticks.
Wear light-colored clothing to better spot ticks that land on your clothes.
When walking or hiking in wooded areas, try to stay in the middle of paths to avoid brushing up against high grass and brush.
Use insect repellents that contain DEET. Follow manufacturers' instructions carefully and heed all warnings. Don't use products containing DEET on children under 2 months of age. Adults should use products containing no more than 30% DEET concentration.
Permethrin, an insecticide, can be applied to clothing.
Consult with your veterinarian for appropriate tick control for your pets.
Do not use DEET or premethrin on pets.
A Few More Tick Bite Prevention Tips
Check yourself for ticks after you've spent time outside. Your hairline, armpits, arms and legs need to be checked. Have someone else check your hair for you.
Avoid squirrels, chipmunks and other small animals that may already be infected from a tick bite.
Controlling Ticks
A Winning Combination
Ticks can be effectively controlled with a combination of home owner involvement and the proper application of pesticides in the areas where ticks commonly inhabit and thrive - brushy areas and areas of high grass and shade.
Home owners need to keep lawns mowed and bushes trimmed
Clear areas of leaf litter and brush.
Keep woodpiles and bird feeders off the ground. Preferably, in sunny locations away from the house to prevent problems with both ticks and rodents carrying tick-borne diseases.
Dura Tech offers professional tick control for homes in our service area.
I recommend a series of two treatments for the most effective control - ideally mid-April and July.
NOTE: A tick lawn drag is performed prior to all tick control treatments. Lawn tick treatments are available with a quarterly homeowner service plan only (see info at right for how you can save when you sign up for this program).
Quarterly Residential Service
Peace of Mind All Year Round
If you've been having a problem with ticks - especially if you live in a heavily wooded area or have high grass or brush around your home - you should consider my Residential Quarterly Pest Management Service.
Because effective tick control can be accomplished through a combination of prevention measures taken by the homeowner, along with the proper application of pesticides, ideally applied twice per year around mid-April and July, Dura Tech customers reap year-round benefits from my more than 30 years of experience controlling pests inside and outside homes.
Check my service area and call me for a comprehensive inspection and estimate for a year-round customized pest control plan specific to your needs and your property!
NOTE: There is a $50 service charge for all in-person inspections, which you get back if you become a Dura Tech customer. All termite problems and quarterly pest management programs require an in-person inspection.
SAVE $40 OFF Quarterly Residential Pest Management
What a Deal for New Dura Tech Customers!
SAVE $40 OFF a Quarterly Residential Pest Management Agreement
Dura Tech's Quarterly Residential Pest Management service means you get greener, meaner pest control from the best in the business - all year round.
Hurry! Offer valid through December 31st 2009 only.
Terms of this Offer
You must be a NEW CUSTOMER in my service area
Applies to Quarterly Residential Pest Management Service only.
You must present the coupon to receive the discount
Valid through December 31st 2009 only