If you live in the Oklahoma City area, you are probably aware of ticks and the problems they cause for people. However, if you don’t know about ticks, you should because they can cause serious health concerns. Ticks are arachnids and have eight legs, oval-shaped bodies, are wingless, and do not have an antenna.
There are three tick species common to the area. These species are:
- American Dog Tick: Brown with light gray markings are 3/16th to 5/8th of an inch in size depending on if they have eaten or not.
- Blacklegged Tick: Also known as a deer tick, is orange-brown with dark legs and is 1/8th of an inch.
- Lone Star Tick: Reddish brown but become gray after a meal. Females are 1/6th to 1/4th of an inch and ½ an inch after a meal, while males are smaller.
Ticks are known to spread Lyme disease; Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and ehrlichiosis. Diseases like Lyme disease need to be taken care of early, or they can cause life-long complications. Not only are people susceptible to the diseases transmitted by ticks, but pets are as well. And tick saliva can cause allergic reactions for some people.
Ticks are external pests that require a host to survive. Because they don’t fly or jump, they climb up vegetation such as tall grasses and bushes, waiting for a host to walk by. Once a host brushes against the vegetation, they will grab ahold.
Where Do Ticks Live?
Rarely do ticks cause problems in homes like other pests, as most species can’t breed inside. Most species need moist soil to begin their life cycle. An exception to this need is dog ticks, which can breed inside. Ticks are most often found in:
- Grass next to ponds
- Tall grass along roadways and fence lines
- Edges of wooded trails
Ticks are found in areas where there are high populations of wildlife. To deter ticks from your Oklahoma City property, you also need to prevent other pests and wildlife.
How Do You Deter Ticks?
Unfortunately, ticks thrive in warm weather with high humidity, abundant vegetation, and wildlife, all of which Oklahoma provides. But implementing certain practices around your Oklahoma City property can help keep ticks from becoming a problem for you. These practices include:
- Cutting back wooded areas along your property perimeter
- Keeping your grass cut short
- Removing grass and leaf piles
- Keeping your yard clear of debris
- Using wood chips or gravel as a barrier between your yard and any wooded areas. This barrier should be at least 3 feet wide.
Besides your yard, you also need to take precautions when out in nature. These precautions should include:
- Wearing tick repellent
- Wearing long sleeves and tucking your pants into your socks
- Inspecting yourself, pets, and kids for ticks
- Staying on the center of walking trails
- Getting your pet on a year-round preventative with the assistance of your veterinarian
- Vacuuming around your pets bedding and cleaning the bedding regularly
If you have high populations of ticks on your property and have difficulty reducing them with the tips listed above, you should contact the experts for assistance.
