Five Easy Ways To Keep Ticks Away From Your Monterey Bay Area Property

Last Modified on October 11, 2021 by Zachary Smith

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People would probably spend more time outdoors if it wasn’t for lurking pests. Insects and creatures can scratch, bite, or sting you. In the worst cases, an encounter could send you to the hospital. This why many would second-guess visiting a hiking trail, having a picnic, or even laying on their lawn. Ticks are just one species that have folks weary. They are extremely small bugs that drink the blood of animals and humans. Since they do this, the likelihood of disease transmission is great. These creepy crawlers can communicate over 15 illnesses and infections.

Considering the potential dangers, it would be wise to familiarize yourself with a few local subspecies and key prevention tactics. Use these five tips from Smith’s Pest Management to properly guard yourself and your animals in the Monterey Bay Area.

Tip #1: Get To The Lawn

Plain and simple, ticks are outdoor bugs. For them to survive and thrive, they have to be in a humid place with plenty of organic matter and surrounding wildlife. Dense forests, pastures, fields, and similar are rife with these pests; especially if there is lots of shade. To keep your yard from being a target, mow the grass frequently. Don’t forget about greenery; trim it all on a routine basis. Get rid of decaying material and debris, like dead plants and leaves.

Two common types of ticks in the Monterey Bay Area are:

  • American Dog Ticks: These eight-legged insects are sometimes called wood ticks. Their bodies are 0.14 to 0.20 of an inch long. After feeding, the females can be 0.59 of an inch.
  • Blacklegged Ticks: This kind is reddish-brown or brown. They are similar in size to the American dog tick, and also have four pairs of legs. Females can reach 0.39 of an inch post-feast. “Deer ticks” are an alternate name for them because they usually zero-in on livestock and deer.

Tip #2: Be Ready To Repel

Before you go into nature, utilize tick repellent products.

Tip #3: Wear The Right Clothes

If you know you’re going to be in a tick-friendly zone, be selective with your wardrobe. Choose a long-sleeved shirt, and put on lengthy pants. Cover your feet with tall socks and boots. When you get to your property, look over your clothes and skin before entering. Also, inspect the fur of any accompanying animals.

Tip #4: Prioritize Pet Care

Have your pet’s hair examined, washed, and trimmed regularly. Be sure to have discussions with a veterinarian about preventive tick treatments.

Here are some of the conditions ticks are linked to:

  • Lyme disease
  • Ehrlichiosis
  • Tularemia
  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever
  • Colorado tick fever
  • Heartland virus
  • Powassan virus

It’s important to check yourself and your pet after being outside because the bites of ticks are painless. You’ll only know you’ve been attacked if you see them or marks on your body. These pests will latch onto your skin or the fur of a domestic animal. Seeking medical attention is pertinent, as related fatalities have occurred.

Tip #5: Contact Smith’s Pest Management

Smith’s Pest Management is a proponent of comprehensive care. We offer solutions for both interiors and exteriors. Our experienced technicians will employ high-quality, industrial-grade treatments that will eradicate tick populations. Given that our avenues are organic and low-toxicity, you won’t have to worry about your safety or your vegetation being ruined. Our wide-ranging services are affordable and come with follow-up and continual visits. Whether you have a home or are running a business, we’ll be there for you. When you call today, you can get a free quote! Reach out to us!

Author Bio: Zach Smith

Landscape Pro Turned Gopher Pro: Owner, Zach Smith, graduate of Cal Poly’s Horticulture program worked nine years as a landscape professional- dealing with gophers, moles, and ground squirrels and was quickly recruited by other local gardeners. Fast forward to the past 15+ years, where Zach and his team trap and remove burrowing pests from residential, municipal and commercial properties throughout the San Francisco Bay area, from Marin to Monterey.