Protecting Against Ticks (and Lyme disease) in Okauchee Lake, WI & Northern Illinois

Of all the creepy-crawlies out there, ticks are among the most revolting.

They latch onto a host. Crawl around. Dig in. Feed on blood. Yuck.

Worse, tick numbers are increasing in Okauchee Lake, Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Less-harsh winters and a robust deer herd (which carries ticks) are often blamed.

Ticks Can Spread Lyme Disease

Ticks are revolting insects. They can be dangerous, too. The pinhead-size deer tick (one of two tick species in this area) can transmit Lyme disease. Its symptoms include a ring-shaped rash and fatigue; long-term effects can extend to injuring organs and the nervous system. Permanent disability is a very real possibility.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 300,000 Americans contract Lyme disease annually. Don’t be one in Okauchee Lake. If you have ticks in your yard or are anxious about the possibility, contact The Mosquito Guy

A single tick protection treatment by The Mosquito Guy will control ticks on your property for up to thirty days. Late spring and early summer are peak tick time, so applying tick repellent by mid-May is recommended. Treatment starts at just $125 per yard.

Two treatments usually provide sufficient tick control. If you want to prevent ticks in your yard, call 262-521-1258, or e-mail margie@themosquitoguy.com, for a free quote.

You can take protective measures on your own, too. Ticks can’t jump or skitter, so try building distinct paths between lawn and wooded areas comprised of wood chips or gravel. Clearing away tall grass helps.

When you’re outside, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to defend against ticks. Tucking pants into socks or boots creates a tight barrier. Wearing light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot.

Powerful tick repellents are available. Twenty percent DEET formula is recommended.

Once back indoors, check your entire body for ticks. They tend to hide, so don’t overlook your body’s natural areas of cover: hair, scalp, armpits, groin and behind the knee. Even wood ticks, the other common species in Okauchee Lake, are only about a quarter-inch long (before blood siphoning, that is). Don’t be reluctant about searching, lest you miss a hitchhiker.

If you identify one, here’s how to remove it: Grab with a tweezer as close to the skin as possible, and pull straight up and out.

Don’t forget to go over pets, too. If your pet roams tick habitat, a vet can apply or suggest a topical repellent to keep ticks away.

The smartest approach, of course, is to make your yard as unwelcoming to ticks as possible … and that’s where The Mosquito Guy can help. Contact us for a yard treatment to keep ticks away. Consider it an investment against “disgusting” … and into your sanity.

Protecting Your Family Against Ticks & Lyme Disease near Okauchee Lake, WI