As we get closer to summer in Illinois & Indiana, the numbers of tick populations in the area are going to continue to rise. Ticks come back out as the temperatures rise, looking for animals to feed on. Not only do they go after us and our pets, they can also transmit dangerous diseases to us, like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tularemia, and, of course, Lyme disease. It’s important to ready yourself for tick season by learning the safest method to remove ticks from your skin.
How to Identify Ticks
Learning to tell apart tick species that you’ve encountered in your area will help you avoid running into them. These are the tick species to look out for in IL & IA:
- American dog tick: Otherwise known as wood ticks, American dog ticks are the most commonly seen tick in our region. They are usually 3-5 mm in length with oval-shaped bodies and reddish-brown bodies.
- Lone star tick: These ticks are of a similar size and shape as American dog ticks, but with longer mouthparts and a white-spotted back. Lone star ticks can be found in brushy areas where deer and other small animals are.
- Deer tick: The deer tick is darker and smaller than the previous two. It is debatably the most dangerous of the three, due to its being more difficult to spot in conjunction with its ability to spread Lyme disease.
Although they don’t all spread Lyme disease, each one of these tick species is capable of transmitting diseases.
Removing Ticks Safely
If you notice a tick anywhere on your body, it’s best to get rid of it as soon as you can. The CDC recommends following this procedure to remove ticks safely:
- Use a precise pair of tweezers to grab the tick as close to the surface of the skin as possible.
- Draw the tick away from your body slowly and steadily. If you twist the tweezers while pulling, the tick’s mouthparts could break off and stay in your body. In this case, take the tweezers to the mouthparts to remove them as well.
- Clean the bite area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol after removing the tick.
- Safely get rid of the tick by flushing it down the toilet, putting it in alcohol, or tossing it in a sealed trash can. Do not squish it with exposed skin.
You can decrease your chances of contracting a disease if you remove the tick as soon as you notice it on your body. If you develop fevers or rashes during the following few weeks, consult a medical professional.
How to Avoid Ticks in Illinois & Indiana
If you’ve noticed a greater number of ticks around your property this year than usual, contact your local pest control company. The tick specialists at Anderson Pest Solutions can help you discover the best ways to avoid ticks in your area. For a free tick extermination quote, contact us today!
