an engorged dog tick

Ticks are a pest most people have heard about as they are notorious for spreading serious illnesses. Most people know about Lyme disease, at least to some extent, but it can be easy to forget about ticks in the Hudson Valley, especially if you don’t spend much time outside.

However, while ticks are often found doing outdoor recreation, these pests can also make their way around your yard. It’s a good idea to know how to prevent ticks and what to do if you have a tick problem. Find out more about Hudson Valley pest control services for ticks in this guide.

Is This A Tick?

You might have a general idea of what ticks look like, but they can sometimes be confused for other species such as bed bugs or fleas. So, a refresher on identifying ticks in Hudson Valley is occasionally helpful. Ticks are a kind of arachnid which means they have eight legs when they are adults. They have flattened, teardrop-shaped bodies when they haven’t eaten, but their bodies will become engorged after getting a blood meal from a host.

Most ticks are neutral colors like brown and black, but they can have various white, orange, or red markings. The most common tick species in New York are black-legged ticks, lone star ticks, and American dog ticks.

Every Disease That Ticks Can Transmit

Ticks are parasites that survive by consuming blood from humans or animals. They embed their heads into the skin of a host, and once they’ve had enough to drink, they drop off the host mammal until they need to eat again.

Because ticks pass from host to host, they act as vectors for many different diseases. The most notorious of these is Lyme disease, but there are many other tick-borne illnesses to be aware of, such as babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and anaplasmosis. The black-legged tick spreads Lyme disease, while the American dog tick transmits spotted fever.

While not all tick bites will make you sick, it’s still important to guard against the risks of illness by taking steps to deter ticks from your property.

How To Effectively Deter Ticks In Hudson Valley

If you’re looking for Hudson Valley tick control, the first step is to take preventive measures. Ticks come onto properties on wildlife or rodent populations, so you can take steps to prevent ticks by also preventing other pest problems. Here are some tips and tricks:

Remove bird feeders and pet food from the yard.
Put lids on garbage cans.
Clean up yard debris such as mulch, leaf piles, and grass clippings.
Keep firewood and lumber stored in a dry area.
Trim plants around the yard regularly.

While these tips can help prevent tick problems, they aren’t much help if you already have seen ticks around your yard. You should contact the residential pest control experts at Pestmaster® Services at the first sign of ticks.

The Best Way To Permanently Remove Ticks From My Property

Hudson Valley pest control services, are often necessary to remove ticks from your yard. At Pestmaster® Services, we provide tick control as well as the prevention and eradication of other pest species that tend to carry ticks with them. Find out more and get started by requesting a quote today.