Everything You Need To Know About Ticks

August 20th, 2021

Ticks are small, parasitic creatures that bite thousands of people in the United States each year. Most of those bites are annoying but harmless. Occasionally, however, a tick bite can lead to a deadly infection or disease. Refer to this quick guide for everything you need to know about tick bites and how to deal with them. To take ticks out of the equation altogether, ask us about our flea and tick control services.

• What are ticks?

They are tiny, parasitic arachnids that are closely related to spiders. They are usually found in areas of heavy vegetation. They survive by burying their heads into their victim’s skin and sucking their blood. As they suck up the blood, it grows in size. Once they reach full capacity, it will detach itself from the host.

• Are ticks dangerous?

Most tick bites are not dangerous. However, some ticks can transfer blood-borne diseases to their human or pet hosts.

• Where do ticks bite?

Ticks prefer to embed themselves in warm areas of the body such as the underarms, groin, and back of the knees.

• When do ticks bite?

Ticks love warm, humid weather. Because of this, Florida makes them a perfect home. In central and southern Florida, tick bites are common all year long.

• What does a tick bite look like?

Most people still find the tick attached to their skin instead of seeing their actual bite. Once the tick is removed, the bite site will likely be red and slightly swollen.

• What should I do if a tick bites me?

Remove the tick immediately with pointed tweezers, being sure to completely remove the embedded head from your skin.  Monitor for signs of an allergic reaction, infection, or disease, including:

• • Swelling
  • Burning
  • Pain
  • Body rash
  • Neck stiffness
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Weakness
  • Muscle aches
  • Joint aches
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Difficulty breathing

• When should I get medical help?

You should seek medical assistance if you cannot remove the tick or accidentally leave part of the tick embedded in your skin. You should also seek medical assistance if you begin experiencing any of the symptoms listed above after being bitten by a tick.

The best way to avoid a tick bite is to implement tick prevention strategies around your home, including regular pest control services. Green Solutions is Tampa’s premier lawn care and pest control company, with a proven record of eliminating ticks and keeping them away. Call us at (813) 684-7336 to find out how we can keep your lawn in top shape and pest free all year long. 

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