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Tick Bites and Lyme Disease

by | Jun 27, 2016 | Lyme Disease, tick bites, Ticks

tick bitesTick Bites Prevention

When you envision the perfect summer day, you probably picture fun outdoor activities
that might include swimming, hiking, or another similar activity. You probably don’t imagine the bugs that will bother you the second you step outside. However, those pests need to be on your mind when you are thinking of spending time outside, and one important bug to remember is the infamous tick and tick bites.

Nobody thinks that tick bites are a fun thing to have happen. The bites are getting increasingly unfavorable because of a new species of bacteria that causes Lyme disease and is found in ticks. You could contract Lyme disease from a tick bite.

Background on Lyme Disease:

Lyme Disease is an illness that is transferred to humans from biting or blood-sucking insects. These insects include ticks, mosquitoes, spiders, fleas, and mites. Once you get bitten by a tick you might have an itchy “bull’s eye” rash, pain, fever and inflammation. These signs could mean that you might have contracted Lyme Disease. Telltale symptoms of Lyme Disease include unrelenting fatigue, recurring fever, headaches/migraines, and achy muscles/joints. If left untreated the disease could progress to muscle spasms, loss of motor coordination, and even intermittent paralysis or heart problems.

Here’s what you can do to prevent all tick bites from occurring, whether the ticks are carrying the bacteria for Lyme Disease or not.

Avoid Ticks:

  • You should avoid wooded areas with tall grass.
  • You need to stick to trails if you do decide to go into wooded areas.

Repel Ticks:

  • Use repellents that contain 20-30% DEET on skin and clothing, which will keep you protected for a few hours.
  • Use products that contain permethrin on clothing, which will stay on your clothing through a few washes.

Remove Ticks:

  • Go through a full-body check when you leave the area.
  • Look over all of your gear and check your pets.
  • Take a shower or bath as soon as you get back inside.
  • Tumble dry clothes on a high heat, for about 10 minutes, to kill ticks that might have gotten on your clothing.

Anyone venturing outside should practice staying safe during the summer season. Please always be wary of insects that could cause you harm.

Contact us by calling (615) 220-1933 or visiting our contact page if you have any pest concerns.

If you need some more information about preventing tick bites and Lyme Disease.