Fall is a very active time for these nuisance insects.  Adult ticks are emerging and looking to feed so they can lay their eggs.  Mosquitoes are also still active and feeding.  Disease risk from these pests is very real, especially in the fall. 

Don't Get Lazy About Tick Checks

There is only one tick in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains that transmits Lyme disease and that is the blacklegged tick, sometimes erroneously called the deer tick.  An adult female is about the size of a sesame seed.  While this is larger than the poppy seed-sized nymph form of the blacklegged tick, it is still small and can be difficult to detect. 

Though this number varies from region to region, up to 50% of the adult tick population in an area could be infected with Lyme disease.  The rule of thumb is a tick needs to be attached for 24 hours before it can transmit the disease, but the quicker they are found and removed, the better. 

How To Remove A Tick

• Grip the tick as close to the skin surface as possible using fine tip tweezers. Do not use “eyebrow” or cosmetic tweezers.
• Pull upward with steady, even pressure; do not twist

If the mouth parts break off, remove with the tweezers if possible, otherwise just clean the area and let it heal.

If you find and remove a tick, there are places that can test it for Lyme disease for you for a fee. A positive test for the presence of Lyme in the tick does not mean you are infected.  Always seek medical advice when dealing with tick bites.

Prevention is always the best form of protection when it comes to ticks. Avoiding the areas that ticks infest can greatly reduce your chance of getting bitten by a tick. Most commonly, they live in wooded areas and areas of tall grass. If you can’t avoid these kinds of areas, you can protect yourself by covering up exposed skin to minimize your chance of getting bitten.

Mosquitoes Can Carry Several Diseases

West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) are two of the main diseases of concern with mosquitoes.  The concern grows in the fall because of the time it takes for populations of the viruses build up in the blood of the various birds that are carriers of the disease.  People are infected by the bite of a mosquito that has fed on an infected bird.  Humans and other mammals can be infected but do not spread the disease. 

Like ticks, avoiding mosquitoes is the best way to prevent bites. Mosquito populations are highest in areas of standing water and stagnant water. Mosquito traps and insect repellents can help to keep adult mosquitoes at bay and covering exposed skin also helps prevent bites.

If you are concerned about your exposure to ticks and mosquitoes, check with your local lawn care company to see what kind of control services they offer. 

Get More Info From The Pros!

Looking for more information on tick and mosquito control or just ready to let the professionals take over your lawn care needs? The Grassmaster Plus team is ready and willing to answer any questions you have and can provide you a free quote on your lawn care services for the season. Contact our local office today!