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Health & Fitness

Wil-Kil Pest Control's Pest of the Month: Ticks

Now that summer is finally starting to heat up, residents are enjoying the sunshine and getting back to some of their favorite outdoor activities. Whether they are running around in the yard, going for a hike or hosting barbeques out on the patio, families and pets are taking full advantage of the warm weather.

Unfortunately, they aren’t the only ones basking in the warm summer air. Ticks are predicted to appear again in large numbers this year and have already begun emerging across the state, posing a potential threat to the health of individuals, families and their pets. 

The risk of being bitten by a tick is quickly becoming a concern this summer as Wisconsin’s two species of ticks, dog ticks, commonly known as wood ticks, and blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks are already on the move.

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Deer ticks are known transmitters of Lyme Disease, and as of May, there have already been 67 cases of Lyme Disease confirmed this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that around 300,000 Americans are diagnosed with Lyme Disease each year, making it the most commonly reported tick-borne illness in the United States. With 688 reported and confirmed cases last year in Wisconsin, the number of people afflicted by the disease has reached 3,962 since it was first found in 2000.

Due to the potential danger caused by these pests, it is important for residents to remember that it’s never too early to begin protecting themselves, family members, backyards and pets from ticks.

Tick Prevention Tips:

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  • Conduct “tick checks” on yourself and your children after spending time outdoors
  • Walk in the center of mowed trails to avoid brushing up against vegetation – avoid walking in tall grass or shrubby areas
  • Keep grass cut low, including around fence lines, sheds, trees, shrubs and swing sets – pay special attention to woodpiles and other debris in the yard
  • Lawn treatments can be effective, especially if the pesticide is focused on the edges of the lawn where they meet wooded areas
  • Insect repellents with 20-30% DEET are effective in repelling deer ticks
  • Pet owners should use flea and tick treatments on their pets and make regular visits to the veterinarian

Taking a few preventative measures will help protect individuals, families and pets from potentially harmful tick bites and allow them to continue to have a worry-free and pest-free summer.

Do you have any tips to share? I welcome your comments and feedback!

About Shane McCoy:

Shane McCoy is the Technical Training Director for Wil-Kil Pest Control, a regional pest management company providing quality pest management for residential and commercial properties throughout the Upper Midwest. As an Associate Certified Entomologist with over 18 years of experience in pest management, Shane’s blog provides expert tips and tricks, timely information and solutions for coexisting with the insect life and critters around us. To learn more about Wil-Kil Pest Control, please visit www.wil-kil.com. You can also follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@WilKilPest).

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