Outdoor Flea and Tick Pest Control Treatment in Joplin, MO

Bug-A-Way Pest Control can help with tick control in Southwest Missouri. Ticks are a major concern as the region is home to several species. One of the most common is the deer tick, which is the species that transmits Lyme disease. Deer ticks usually live for two or three years and can feed on a host for several days. They have to be attached for 24 hours to transmit Lyme disease, so you can reduce your risk of catching the disease by checking yourself for ticks immediately after being out in nature.

Another species found in Missouri is the Lone Star tick, which can be identified by the white dot on its back. These ticks often attach to dogs or cats, so pet owners should be particularly watchful for them. They can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and a condition called STARI, which has similar symptoms to Lyme disease but does not cause neurological problems. 

American Dog ticks live in Missouri as well. This species feeds on small mammals as a larva and nymphs and large animals as an adult. They are most commonly attach to dogs, cattle, and horses, but they sometimes bite humans.  You need to have your pets on flea and tick medication to keep these pests off of your pets.

What to Do If a Tick bites you

 The ticks that live in Missouri are associated with some serious health problems. If you’ve been bitten, remove the tick as quickly as possible using tweezers. Then, clean the area with rubbing alcohol or soap. 

 If you’re not sure how long the tick has been on your body, call your healthcare provider for advice. They may prescribe an antibiotic if the tick has had a chance to bite into your skin and transmit an illness.

You can reduce the number of ticks around your home by making the environment undesirable for the pests. Ticks like cool and wet areas with tall brush, so keeping the grass short and removing brush and weeds may help. 

The best way to prevent or treat a tick problem is with professional pest control. The experts at Bug-A-Way Pest Control know exactly how to create an environment that ticks aren’t attracted to, so they’ll recommend adjustments you can make to your yard. If you have an existing tick problem, they’ll use powerful but environmentally-friendly treatments to get rid of the pests and stop them from coming back.