American Dog Tick Removal

These ticks prefer grassy areas with low vegetation where larger mammals pass by. American dog ticks do not survive well indoors. It is thought that American dog ticks are attracted by the scent of animals, so they are common along roads and trails. These pests thrive in areas where grasses, bushes and plants are accessible to humans. While American dog ticks choose habitats that maximize their exposure to potential hosts, they can survive for about 2-3 years (1,053 days) unfed. Adult American dog ticks prefer to bite domestic dogs and can therefore be brought into the home and potentially transferred to humans.

Homeowners with outdoor pets and tall grass are at higher risk for coming into contact with American dog ticks. Unless you have tick treatments done, you won’t be able to not have them. Keeping the grass around the home well-trimmed can help but even then you should always inspect pets and people closely after outings. If you suspect a tick problem on the property, contact us to come in and deal with your tick problem.

The American dog tick is the primary vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), which is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsia. According to the CDC, Rocky Mountain spotted fever has been a nationally recognized condition since the 1920s. Symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever include high fever, chills, muscle aches, and headaches. A rash that may spread across the extremities occurs in some cases. It usually develops 2-4 days after the fever begins. The disease is treated with antibiotics, but can be fatal if left untreated.

Another disease American dog ticks are known to transmit is tularemia, which is caused by the bacterium Fracisella tularensis. It is transmitted from rabbits, mice, squirrels, and other small animals. Symptoms include fever, chills, and tender lymph nodes. An ulcer may form at the tick bite site.

In addition, American dog ticks can cause tick paralysis, which can lead to severe respiratory distress and muscle weakness in those affected. If you believe you have contracted one of the American dog tick diseases mentioned above, please call a healthcare professional. To avoid all this, it would be best to call in a professional pest control company to provide you with tick treatments that will result in ultimate tick control.

In order to avoid being bitten by an American dog tick, apply an insect repellent containing an EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Also, consider wearing long sleeved shirts and pants, preferably light colored so ticks will be easy to detect, and tuck your pants into your socks. This may not be a practical solution during the hot and humid Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio summers, though! The best thing you can do is inspect clothing and skin on pets and all people after being outside. Immediately wash any clothes worn outside.

If you have a bite from an American dog tick, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick as this can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. Once the tick is removed, thoroughly clean the bite site with soap and water. Then, flush the tick down the toilet or wrap it in a tissue before disposing in a closed receptacle. You could also save the tick in a sealed bag to be tested for any potentially harmful bacteria.

We’re passionate about tick control because we live and work here – it’s our neighborhood, too. We’ve been keeping homes and businesses in Kentucky, Indiana, and portions of Ohio safe from pests since 1972. OPC Pest Services has the experience you can trust.