Ticks may be tiny, but when they carry Lyme disease, they can create serious health problems for you and your family. Whether it’s finding a tick on your child after a hike or discovering ticks in your yard, Monticello Pest Solutions is your local Charlottesville pest control provider that delivers professional, safe, and effective tick control solutions. As your trusted local exterminator, we specialize in pest management that actually works. In this blog post for Lyme Disease Awareness Month, we break down common questions about Lyme disease and walk you through how to protect yourself and your loved ones.
What Is Lyme Disease and How Does It Impact Health?
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States, affecting approximately 476,000 Americans each year. This serious bacterial infection is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, which is transmitted through the bite of infected ticks.
When an infected tick attaches to your skin for 36-48 hours or more, it can transmit the bacteria into your bloodstream. Once inside your body, the infection can spread to your joints, heart, and nervous system if left untreated. What starts as a simple tick bite can develop into serious health complications that might persist for months or even years.
What Types of Ticks Carry Lyme Disease and How to Identify Them?
Not all ticks carry Lyme disease. In the United States, Lyme disease is primarily transmitted by:
- Blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) – Also known as deer ticks, these are found predominantly in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and north-central United States, including here in Charlottesville. They have a distinctive reddish-brown body with black legs.
- Western blacklegged ticks (Ixodes pacificus) – These are found along the Pacific coast.
What makes these ticks particularly dangerous is their size. Adult blacklegged ticks are only about the size of a sesame seed (about 2.7 mm), and nymphs (young ticks) can be as tiny as a poppy seed (about 1.5 mm), making them extremely difficult to spot on your body or clothing.
Example of a blacklegged tick.
How Can You Prevent Tick Bites When You’re Outside?
Preventing tick bites is your first line of defense against Lyme disease. Here are some effective strategies for when you’re spending time outdoors:
Before Going Outside:
- Apply EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone
- Wear light-colored clothing to make ticks easier to spot
- Dress defensively: long sleeves, long pants tucked into socks, and closed-toe shoes
- Consider avoiding areas with tall grass and dense vegetation where ticks are common
While Enjoying the Outdoors:
- Walk in the center of trails and avoid brushing against vegetation
- Perform periodic tick checks during longer outdoor activities
- Keep pets on leash and on trails to reduce their exposure to tick-infested areas
- Take extra precautions in wooded, bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter
- Be especially vigilant during peak tick season (April through September)
After Coming Inside:
- Do a full-body tick check
- Examine gear and pets for hitchhiking ticks
- Shower within two hours of coming indoors
- Put clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any ticks
- Check children and pets thoroughly, paying special attention to hair, ears, and skin folds
These preventive measures can significantly reduce your risk of tick bites and Lyme disease while still allowing you to enjoy outdoor activities.
What Are the Warning Signs of Lyme Disease?
Recognizing the symptoms of Lyme disease early is crucial for effective treatment. If you’ve been bitten by a tick or spent time in tick-infested areas, watch for these signs:
Early Signs (3-30 days after tick bite):
- Erythema migrans rash that:
- Occurs in approximately 70-80% of infected persons
- Begins at the site of a tick bite
- Gradually expands over several days, reaching up to 12 inches or more
- May feel warm, but is rarely itchy or painful
- Sometimes clears as it enlarges, resembling a “bull’s-eye”
- Fever and chills
- Fatigue
- Body aches and headaches
- Swollen lymph nodes
Later Signs (days to months after tick bite):
- Severe headaches and neck stiffness
- Additional EM rashes on other areas of the body
- Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly in the knees
- Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone on one or both sides of the face)
- Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
- Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath
- Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
- Nerve pain, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet
If you experience any of these symptoms after possible tick exposure, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Early treatment with appropriate antibiotics is highly effective at preventing the development of more serious complications.
How Can Monticello Pest Solutions Help Control Ticks Around Your Home?
While personal preventive measures are important when you’re outside, professional pest control can provide additional protection for your home. Monticello Pest Solutions offers pest control services that include protection against various pests, including ticks
We offer both one-time treatments for immediate relief and ongoing maintenance plans to keep ticks and other pests from returning. Using safe and environmentally responsible methods, we eliminate ticks while ensuring the safety of your home, pets, and loved ones. Our approach is proactive, addressing potential entry points and risk factors to prevent future infestations before they start.
Take Action This Lyme Disease Awareness Month
If you’ve started noticing ticks in your yard or are dealing with a recurring tick problem, it’s time to call in the professionals. Monticello Pest Solutions is your trusted local partner for fast, effective, and safe tick control. We’ll assess the situation, treat the affected areas, and take steps to prevent future infestations so you can feel comfortable and protected in your own backyard again.
For more information, call your local exterminator, Monticello Pest Solutions, at (434)-218-3331 or visit our website at www.monticellopest.com. Please note the purpose of this post is to raise awareness about Lyme Disease and should not be considered medical advice. If you have concerns that you may have Lyme Disease, talk with your doctor.
