Tick Control - Spring Branch Exterminators

Tick Control

Ticks are relatives of spiders, scorpions, and mites. As such, their survival is dependent on a host (i.e., they're parasites). Specifically, ticks feed on an animal's blood or body fluids. The deer tick (Ixodes scapularis in the East & Midwest, and Ixodes pacificus in the West) goes through many stages during its lifecycle, and feeds on different species at each point.

TICK LIFE CYCLE

Ticks begin as eggs (stage 1) that hatch into 6-legged larvae (stage 2).

Larvae live and feed on animals (mice, deer, squirrels, livestock, and any humans who enter the tick habitat) for about a week before detaching then molting (shedding) anywhere from 1 week to 8 months later.

The larvae then become 8-legged nymphs (stage 3). Nymphs feed on animals, engorge for 3 to 11 days, detach, and molt about a month later (depending on the species and environmental conditions).

Once the nymph molts, it becomes an adult tick (male or female). Ticks climb up grass and plants and hold their legs up "sensing" and "looking" for their prey. Ticks are attracted to their hosts by detecting carbon dioxide and heat through special organs located on the first pair of the tick's legs (Haller's organs). When a warm-blooded animal walks past, the tick can crawl onto them and begins feeding. Ticks insert their mouths, attach to their prey, and engorge themselves with a blood meal (stage 4). During feeding, tick saliva can get into the host's body and blood stream. Any tick infected with Borrelia burgdorferi can then inadvertently spread this bacteria to the host.

Male and female ticks usually mate while attached to the host. A few weeks later, the engorged female detaches from the host and lays her eggs (1000 - 8000 eggs) on a leaf. A tick usually lives a year before dying

They are back in force. For several years the populations of these insects were down. Now it appears they have developed resistance to some of the popular products used on the animals and have returned in full force.

Control of these pest must be done as a concerted effort on the part of the homeowner and the exterminator. All the areas must be treated for control. The pets should be treated and maintained, the interiors and any exterior areas regularly visited by the pets or the occupants must also be treated.

Many products are available and based on what had been used, the surfaces, and where the application will be made will determine what type of product will be used. Most applications will also include the use of growth regulators for long term control.

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