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Ticks belong to the arachnid family, similar to scorpions and spiders.  They wait in nature for host animals to come by and then they attach themselves to a discreet, well covered area such as the scalp (under the hair).   They are blood suckers which attach themselves to a host and feed for extended periods of time.  Because of this they are also known carriers for infectious diseases. 

There are several kinds of ticks found in the U.S. but they are all fairly similar looking.  They may range in size from 1/16-1/4 inch and in color from black to a deep reddish-brown.  When they have attached to a host, they burrow slightly into the skin attaching themselves with barbed jaws which makes it impossible to simply pick them off.   If you attempt to remove a tick incorrectly the body may detach leaving the head in the skin which can cause a serious infection.

If you go into wooded areas, you want to wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and pants; especially hats or head coverings.  You may also want to use insect repellants, but be sure to follow instructions for applying them when you do.  Try to stay away from areas that have lots of overgrowth that can brush against you as you walk.  For as long as you’re outdoors, you’ll want to periodically check yourself and your children.  Remember that ticks are very slow feeders and may not transmit any disease until they’ve been attached for several hours.  That means you have a chance to identify and remove them before they have a chance to infect you.

If you have been bitten by a tick, you’ll want to remove it by using tweezers to grasp it’s body firmly as close to your skin as possible, and pull it straight out.  You can also save it to take to the doctor if you develop any fever or start feeling ill.

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com