Everything You Need to Know About Ticks and Lyme Disease
Ticks are famous for sucking the blood of their victims. They’re also known for spreading dangerous infections like Lyme disease. Protecting your family means educating yourself and taking preventative measures such as calling an exterminator to rid your home of disease-carrying pests.
What Is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a serious medical condition. Humans contract it when an infected tick burrows into their skin, sucks their blood, and leaves behind a strain of bacterium known as Borrelia burgdorferi.
Although you can get the disease anywhere in the world, some regions are more treacherous than others. A handful of American states, for example, account for the majority of new cases.
States with the highest rates of Lyme disease infection:
- New York
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- Rhode Island
- New Jersey
States like California also have their fair share of cases, spread primarily by the western blacklegged tick.
Spotting the Warning Signs
Thankfully, doctors can treat Lyme disease with antibiotics—if you’re lucky enough to catch it early. If you wait too long to seek proper medical treatment, on the other hand, the infection can spread and cause major long-term health problems.
In order to protect yourself, be on the lookout for the following symptoms:
- Skin rash
- Headache
- Fever
- Fatigue
Of course, the single biggest warning sign is a tick bite. If you do manage to spot a tick on your body, quickly remove it and remain vigilant for worrisome symptoms.
Preventing Lyme Disease
The only surefire way to reduce your risk of contracting Lyme disease is by avoiding ticks altogether. That means wearing long, protective clothing, avoiding tall brush, and checking your home and pets frequently for signs of the critters.
MightyMite Services Can Help
If you live in California and are worried that your home may be hosting dangerous pests like the western black-legged tick, contact MightyMite Termite Services, your local pest control company, to schedule a free inspection. Our trained staff can help rid your house of any unwelcome visitors that may pose a threat to your family’s health.