Tips On Avoiding Ticks And Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a bacterial disease that is transmitted to people through infected tick bites, particularly from the black-legged tick. Those affected will exhibit flu-like symptoms such as spotted fever, headache, fatigue and skin rashes. Antibiotics can treat the Lyme disease easily, especially if it is caught during its initial stages.
However, just like any other diseases, prevention is better than cure.
May is Lyme Disease Awareness month, with spring and summer here along with more time outdoors it’s a good time to re-visit methods of protection from ticks. Read on to learn more about tips to prevent tick infestation and keep your family free from tick-borne diseases.

Apply Pesticides To Control Ticks

Using pesticides or an insect repellent such as acaricide, which is designed to kill ticks can help you in keeping the ticks away from your yard. The acaricides are very effective in reducing the tick’s population in your yard.
If you time properly and use the right application methods, you can reduce the tick population by about 68 to 100 percent.
In case you suspect that you have tick infestation in your yard, you should consult the local health officials who will advise you on the best time to apply the acaricide in your area to remove ticks once and for all.
These officials will also let you know any regulations that are related to the application of pesticides on residential properties.

Create A Tick Free Zone

You can use landscaping techniques to develop a yard that is tick safe around your home. Ticks that transmit the Lyme disease thrive well on humid areas that have woods.
However, these ticks will die very fast when exposed to sunlight.
To reduce the tick population in your yard you should remove the leaf litter and clear all the tall bushes as well as the grasses around the home.
You should also ensure that you stack the wood in a dry area and keep the playground equipment, patios and decks away from your yard edge and trees.
Another trick that works for many people is placing wood chips between wooded areas and lawns. This will restrict the tick movement, keeping them away from your yard.

Keep The Deer Away

Ticks that transmit the Lyme disease are found on deer. Although the local authorities initiate actions that control the deer movement, some actions can help you to keep the deer away from your property to avoid deer ticks from getting inside your property.
First, do not feed the deer on your property. You can do this by removing the bird feeders and clean up any birdfeed that may have spilled.
You can also create a physical barrier that keeps the deer away. In addition, do a quick research and plant deer resistant plants.

Groom Your Pets

Dogs and cats can carry ticks into your home and this could infect you or your child with the Lyme disease. Check for ticks and remove them from the skin or fur as soon as you spotted one.
Do not allow your dog or cat to go to the tick infested areas such as woods or fields that have deer roaming around. You can groom your pet daily and remove the tick by hand to prevent different kinds of tick-borne illness.