Of all the insects out there, ticks are among the most repellent.
They glom onto a host. Creep around. Dig in. Feed on blood. Yuck.
Worse, tick populations are growing in Wales, Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Less-harsh winters and a robust deer herd (which carries ticks) are often blamed.
Ticks are revolting insects. They can be hazardous, too. The pinhead-size deer tick (one of two tick species in this area) can harbor Lyme disease. Its symptoms include a ring-shaped rash and fatigue; long-term effects can extend to damaging 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 Wales. If you have ticks in your yard or are concerned about the possibility, contact The Mosquito Guy
A single tick protection application by The Mosquito Guy will control ticks on your property for up to 30 days. Late spring and early summer are peak tick season, so applying tick repellent by mid-May is recommended. Treatment starts at just $125 per yard.
Two applications 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 creating separate paths between lawn and wooded areas using 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 advised.
Once back inside, check your whole body for ticks. They like 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 Wales, are only about a quarter-inch long (before blood siphoning, that is). Don’t be modest 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 examine pets, too. If your dog or cat roams tick territory, a veterinarian can apply or suggest a topical repellent to keep ticks away.
The ideal 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.