There is something about a warm and cozy fire in the fall and winter. Sitting by a roaring fire and feeling its warmth after being out in the cold all day can make winter enjoyable.
Mother nature can sometimes make this experience like a bad horror movie. Firewood that is stored inside and around a home can bring pests. The most common thing folks experience is when the wood is brought into the home any ants, beetles, spiders, stinkbugs, and sometimes mice that are living in the wood emerge when the wood gets warm. The wood is usually stored by the fireplace or stove in the den or living room causing a pest problem in these rooms. Imagine enjoying a fire and all of sudden there are hundreds of ants or spiders invading your den. What a nightmare! Wood-boring beetles may also emerge from the warmth. Beetles usually stay close to the firewood and not spread out in the room.
There a few simple things that can be done to help prevent this. Inspect all firewood for pests before bringing it into the home. If any pests are seen in the wood do not bring it into the home. Store all outside firewood on some kind of rack off the ground. Keep the firewood covered so it does not absorb a lot of moisture. Moisture attracts all kinds of pests, especially carpenter ants. Don't store firewood next to areas that may have pests. Some of these areas are next to mulch piles, old rotting firewood, tree stumps or old trees that may have ants. Use firewood that is split and clean. This type of firewood is less conducive to pests.
Storing firewood on the outside can also cause pest problems. If the wood is stored next to or close to a home, mice can make a nest in the wood pile. After a period of time the mice in the nest will reproduce and these new mice will create their own nest. If the wood pile is close to the home it is likely the mice will create their new nest in the home. In addition to mice, stored firewood is a great place for carpenter ants and spiders. This the best reason to store firewood away from the home.
We have a customer in Gladstone who had boring beetles in stored firewood in the garage. One day she noticed beetles in her garage. When we arrived and determined it was beetles, we helped the customer move the wood out of the garage and performed a thorough treatment that eliminated the beetles. The moral of the story is if the wood had been stored outside there would not have been a pest problem in the garage. We understand that storing firewood in a garage during the winter beats going into the snow to get wood.
If you have pest problems from wood piles (ants, spiders, beetles or mice) we have a plan to help. We will make recommendations for storage and treatment methods to eliminate the pests.
If we can be of help please call us or email us at info@permakillexterminating.com.
Many homeowners and businesses spread mulch around the exterior of their homes or buildings in the fall. Mulching is a valuable tool to control weeds and create a neat appearance. Unfortunately, mulch can contain many pests.
The most common pests found in mulch are ants, spiders, crickets, beetles and wood roaches. Mulch is usually chipped wood debris. This debris is ground up and stored in a pile, which is then usually stored in a wooded area. Carpenter ants, crickets, beetles and spiders love decaying organic matter, and mulch creates a wonderful area for these pests to nest. This organic matter, stored in the woods, when spread around around homes and businesses, introduce a variety of pests including carpenter ants, tiny ants, crickets and spiders to the outside of these buildings. Once this mulch is spread, many of these pests will enter homes and building and create a pest problem. If crickets are introduced to the exterior of buildings, it will attract mice. Mice love to feed on crickets.
We had two homes last week, one in Randolph and one in Chester, that had mulch deliveries. The home in Randolph got carpenter ants and the home in Chester got crickets. Luckily, they called the day after delivery. We went out and performed an outside power spraying and stopped the crickets and ants on the exterior before they became a problem on the inside. These one time treatments were successful.
Our policy is to offer one time treatment customers the opportunity to convert to our Home Protection Plan. If within 30 days of the treatment we will apply the cost of the one time treatment to a Home Protection Plan. We are so confident in our work that we will make this offer. Most of our new Home Protection Plan customers are people that convert because they are satisfied with the initial job we did. We offer this plan to one-time customers who have had mice, crickets, ants, bees, rats, squirrels, spiders or a variety of pests. If you are interested in our Home Protection Plan please check out our page on the Home Protection Plan.
If we can be of service please give us a call or email us at info@permakillexterminating.com. We answer all calls and emails.
Crickets (Camel Back Crickets, Cave Crickets, "Jumping Spiders") are a common pest problem in the fall. The crickets come in from the outside in the fall to avoid the coming winter. Crickets have two breeding cycles per year spring and fall. Many times the crickets observed in the fall have been living inside cinder block walls or behind walls in the basement. Crickets are a very prolific pest that if left untreated may multiply rapidly and become a very annoying pest. We at PermaKill Exterminating have over 40 years of experience battling these pests. We perform a scientifically designed treatment to eliminate crickets.
Crickets like to live in areas that have high humidity. Basements are the most common area to find these pests. In basements the most common areas to find crickets are where the water lines enter the home, sump pumps and areas where moisture is evident on basement walls. Bilco doors and low decks(that have poor air movement) are also common areas.
If any moisture problems are not addressed crickets will always be a problem. We at PermaKill understand that many basements will always have moisture problems and that crickets will be a constant battle. The best way to prevent cricket infestations is to fix moisture problems. One of the easiest ways to reduce potential cricket problems is to use a dehumidifier. This will lower the relative humidity in the basement, creating an environment that crickets will not want to inhabit.
Our staff at PermaKill Exterminating has been battling these pests for over 40 years. We are a locally owned family business (not a franchise) We can create a program to fix any cricket problem. We are not a big company that has to follow "the cricket treatment" for all homes. We also offer a Home Protection Plan that not only controls crickets but many other pests such as: mice, squirrels, ants, bees, spiders, ticks, mosquitoes and many other pests.
One interesting fact about crickets is that they attract other pests. With over 40 years of pest control experience we have observed that many customers who have a cricket infestation and do not control them experience mice infestations. If the mice are not addressed snakes can become a problem. Mice eat crickets and snakes eat mice. If you think about it, people who have crickets and do not address the cricket problem can create a pest environment that creates more pests. Especially mice.
We at PermaKIll Exterminating can solve any cricket problem and offer a Home Protection Plan that can keep your home safe from pests. Please check out the Home Protection page of our web site for details. We also offer a variety of other services. Please look at our services section of our website.
We service Morris, Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren and Sussex counties. A few of the towns we service are Chester, Randolph, Mendham, Basking Ridge, Bedminster, Bernardsville, Morristown, Flanders, Mount Olive, Roxbury, Morristown and Tewksbury Township (Califon, Oldwick, Pottersville).
If you have any pest control or exterminating problems please contact PermaKill today.
Mice resistance to rodenticides can usually be found in larger towns. This is because of the large mice populations in these towns. When a large rodent population grows over a period of time, certain mice who have ingested the mouse bait for whatever reason are not affected by the bait. When mice who do not react to the mouse bait mate they create offspring that are immune to the mouse bait. This is how resistance occurs. The bad news for towns like Morristown and Dover, where rodent populations have experienced this, multiple feeding bait will not work. In these towns a single feeding rodenticide must be used to control mice.
Rodent resistance to bait in our service area is thankfully confined to a small group of towns. This is important because this allows us to use a multiple feeding bait versus a single feeding bait. The advantage of a multiple feeding rodent bait is that it's safer for pets. The Federal Government has eliminated the use of single feeding mouse baits by homeowners. It only allowed to used by Certified Pest Control Operators. We use multiple feeding rodent baits in schools and day care centers as mandated by the State of New Jersey for safety. We always place rodent bait in tamper resistant bait stations. These stations require a specific key to open for added safety. The stations are strategically placed in areas that the mice will likely travel.
The towns that do not have a mouse resistance problem are Chester, Long Valley, Randolph, Mendham, Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Bedminster, Warren, Roxbury, Flanders, Morris Plains, Hibernia, Ledgewood, Succasunna, Denville and Bridgewater.
The good news is that rats have not shown any resistance to the multiple feeding mouse baits in any of the towns listed above.
Many times homeowners who have mice also have crickets. It is very common to have crickets first then mice. When a cricket problem occurs and the cricket population builds it attracts mice. The mice feed on crickets. It is important to not let a cricket problem get out of control. We offer a scientifically designed program for crickets.
We at PermaKill Exterminating offer a winter rodent plan. This plan will cover your home from September 1st through March 31st for mice. If mice reappear during this period we will retreat for mice at no additional charge. We also offer scientifically designed treatment plans for crickets. We also offer a comprehensive plan called our Home Protection Plan. The Home Protection Plan covers a variety of pests : crickets, mice, ants, spiders, ticks, mosquitoes, bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, squirrels (see Home Protection Page) for all pests included.
If you have a mouse or cricket problem please contact our team today.
You’ve noticed a spider crawling on your walls; could there be more spiders inside your house? That’s what most homeowners struggle to understand. Spiders are creepy, and some species could be harmful due to their bite. With over 4,000 species of spiders in the U.S., it can be tricky knowing what type of spider you may have in your home.
New Jersey has 39 of these species. These spiders inhabit sheds, homes, and the surrounding areas. Although spiders do not pose any life-threatening problem to humans, some arachnids have a venomous bite.
Below is a look at the common types of spiders in Northern New Jersey. We also look at some places spiders hide.
Some of the common spiders you may find in New Jersey include:
These spiders prefer weaving webs inside a house and the exterior areas like wood piles and garages. The American house spider rarely bites when threatened. They measure a quarter of an inch and have a dappled pattern of different shades.
The bold jumper is a common spider species in the U.S. These spiders like to jump and have a beautiful patch on their abdomen.
The sac spider is long-legged and lives indoors. You may come across them at night as they look for food. Although it’s non-poisonous, it’s aggressive and notorious for biting. It has a pale yellow color and its quarter of an inch.
These spider species is active in the evening and keeps a low profile during the day. It’s a larger species compared to other spider species.
Spiders build tangled, irregular webs to capture their prey. You can find these webs on your fixtures like wall décor or lighting. The webs can also be in ceiling corners. Spiders can also be inside barns, sheds, and outdoor lights.
Other places you may spot spiders include:
Spiders require water to survive; you’ll find them near your plumbing. They love the under-sink areas, as these places are dark and not easy to spot them.
Spiders may hide in one place during the day, and hide in another at night. Most of them love hiding underneath the furniture, and you may need to vacuum these areas to get rid of them.
Another place spiders love to hide is in storage areas like the garage, basement, or attic. They may also hide in crawl spaces, stairwells, and closets. Spiders thrive in clutter, and hoes that have piles of clutter are their favorite hideout spots.
Dangerous spider species like to hide under piles of wood in the yard or under rocks. They can be on piles of debris from your yard and may crawl their way into your house.
Spiders love plants, shrubs, and bushes, whether they are inside or outside the house. You may have to deal with many spiders if you have a lot of vegetation around your home. It’s essential to trim the bushes and shrubs to prevent a spider infestation.
Spiders love to hang around door frames. It’s easy to spot one on your doors.
If you’ve noticed one spider in the mentioned places above, you may be surprised to learn that this could indicate the presence of more spiders in your house. That’s why it’s essential to call in spider control professionals to prevent infestation.
Although some spiders are not harmful, some poisonous species can cause severe damage. What’s more, a spider infestation could be a nuisance, especially for people who have arachnophobia.
If you’re dealing with some of the above spiders in Northern New Jersey, you may need to call the experts in spider control. We have an experienced team who know where the webs are and use the right methods to remove the spiders.
During the late fall yellow jackets, hornets bees and wasps are about to die off for the year. When encountering these "bees" this time of year they can be very aggressive. The nests are large and (especially yellow jackets) they know there time is limited. They are actively trying to prepare their nests for the next year. Yellow jackets and hornets will not re-used their nest the following year. But they are preparing the queens and males for the winter so they can emerge next spring and start the process all over again. Wasps will over winter in attics and occasionally may emerge during warm sunny days.
We at PermaKill Exterminating have scientifically designed programs to help with these "bees". We can treat nests and attics to control them. We strongly advise customers not to use the "homeowner sprays". These products usually do not eliminate the nests. They will knock the numbers down and really make the remaining members very angry. This will also make it harder for us to eliminate them. The bees (especially yellow jackets) will find new ways to renter an exit the nests. Many times when the bees attempt to get out of the nest they will enter the living spaces of home and create a large amount of bees in the home or office.
We at PermaKill Exterminating have the knowledge and experience to handle these problems. We also offer a "Whole House Bee Treatment". This treatment will cover your for the remainder of the year. If bees, yellow jackets, hornets or wasps reappear in or on your home during this period we will retreat at no additional charge. We also offer a Home Protection Plan will cover all types of bees, ants, crickets, spiders and mice. Please look at our Home Protection page for details.
If we can be of service, give us a call today or email us at info@permakillexterminating.com. We respond to all calls and emails.
Nothing can be damaging and expensive than a rodent infestation. Rodents have small bodies that fit through small spaces. That’s something that makes it easy to access structural points of your house like the roof, around the house perimeter, crawl space, and inside the attic.
The last thing you’d want to be dealing with as a northern New Jersey homeowner are rodents during winter. Below is a look at why rodents invade after summer and signs of infestation. We also look at how to prepare the attic to fight a rodent infestation.
Rodent infestations become more frequent after the summer. At this time, rats and mice look for shelter from the freezing weather, and the only convenient place could be your home. What’s more, it’s difficult for them to find food sources during winter, and a house provides them with a convenient food source.
The attic offers rodents with quick access to moisture and food. Rats and mice love a warm and cozy environment, which is what the attic offers during winter. Rodents also enjoy a quiet space. Although you may spot them running around in search for food, they want their nest in an undisturbed area.
Also, the attic has a lot of nesting materials like old boxes, insulation materials, and newspapers. That simplifies their work further.
Pests like mice, rats, squirrels, and insects can damage any stored items and even cause fire due to the chewed electrical cables.
Rats and mice leave a trail of evidence once they’ve inhabited the attic. Some of the common signs that could indicate a rodent infestation include:
Once you’ve confirmed that there’s a rodent infestation in the attic, you need to take the necessary rodent control measures to fight this infestation.
It’s critical to gear up before attempting to clean your attic, wear protective gloves, hats, pants, and sleeves to protect yourself from allergens and irritants. Be sure to wear a mask to avoid inhaling harmful substances.
If your attic has boxes or other items that may make your cleaning difficult, you need to get rid of them.
Rodents take advantage of gaps in vents or rooflines to get into the attic. The holes are tiny, and you may have to pay close attention to notice them. You can also use a black light to look for possible entry points.
Once you’ve discovered the entry gaps, you need to seal them off using steel wool. You can use a clear silicone gel to bolt the steel in place and block any airflow.
After sealing any entry gaps, it’s time to trap and remove any rodents already living in the attic. You can do this using a trap. Use a live catch trap or a snap trap.
Spring is an excellent time to check on the quality of insulation, look for moisture-causing old, and clean up. You can also choose to clean at the beginning of winter. It’s also essential to inspect, clean, and seal the attic anytime you hear noises, or you notice the above signs in your attic.
Sometimes it’s difficult to clean your attic by yourself. Although you may partly clean the attic, you still need to replace the insulation, something that only professionals can handle. At PermaKill, we know how to handle the cleaning process after a rodent infestation.
Our expert will walk you through the cleanup process, which may include insulation removal. The process also involves decontamination, sanitizing the attic, and cleaning up the work area. Contact us today for rodent proofing services to prevent re-infestation.
Flying insects are some of the most invasive pests a homeowner can encounter. Some sting or bite, and others actively destroy property. Worst of all, a small percentage of the population can have a life-threatening reaction to encounters with these flying nuisances, putting your family, neighbors, and visitors at risk.
However, not all flying insects are the same. Wasps, hornets, carpenter bees, and yellowjackets all have distinct behaviors and pose different threats. Also, they can require completely different methods of removal once you’ve decided that their lease on your property has expired.
So, what exactly is the difference between wasps, yellowjackets, hornets, and carpenter bees?
Below, we’ll outline how to identify which stinging insect you have, each species’ unique behavior and habitat, and – most importantly – how best to get rid of each one.
One of the species that displays the most unusual behavior – and poses the most unusual problems – is the carpenter bee.
Though the females do possess a stinger, carpenter bees pose almost no danger to humans. Instead, they are loathed by homeowners for the unsightly holes they dig into wood siding, fencing, and paneling, which can cause hundreds of dollars of damage in just a few short weeks.
Carpenter bees closely resemble bumblebees, as they are large and have rather “fat” looking bodies. However, carpenter bees are not fuzzy nor yellow, but instead boast a large black abdomen and minimal color on their thorax.
If you’ve ever seen large bees flying around and “mating” in mid-air, you’ve probably witnessed two carpenter bees “dancing.” Unlike other species, carpenter bees do not swarm but live solitary lives until mating.
However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t find large numbers of them on a single property.
The solution for carpenter bees requires identifying each carpenter bee hole, treating it with insecticide, and subsequently plugging it to prevent its reuse.
This process can be quite tricky, and an expert is usually required to find all of the individual burrows.
Many homeowners mistakenly identify yellowjackets as a type of bee, but in fact, they are a type of wasp species. People all over the US know yellowjackets as some of the most aggressive insects one can encounter, capable of delivering both painful stings and bites.
Yellowjackets usually make their nests in logs, rotten wood, or underground, but they also sometimes create intricate hives that resemble dried paper mâché. When the colony is disturbed, they can swarm, causing severe injury or – rarely – even death.
Yellowjackets are rather large and brightly colored, with yellow stripes on their long abdomen and black and yellow geometrical patterns on their thorax. They can appear in large numbers or solo.
Yellowjackets are very dedicated to both their hives and their queen, continually searching for material to increase the size of the colony or feed its occupants.
Unfortunately, the fact that yellowjackets feed on sweets and proteins makes contact with humans frequent. When confronted with a perceived threat, they are highly likely to attack.
Because yellowjackets are so aggressive, dealing with an infestation is almost always best left to a professional. Even without an allergy, large numbers of stings can quickly land you in the hospital – or worse.
Technically, the term “wasp” is an umbrella phrase for any stinging insect that is not a bee. However, commonly, the term “wasp” is used to describe solitary individuals that do not live in a hive. Species that live such lives include paper wasps, potter wasps, mud wasps, and pollen wasps.
Identifying solitary wasps, as opposed to hornets or yellowjackets, is not an easy task, as they share much of the same attributes as their cousins. In general, however, wasps tend to have a more “pinched” waist between the thorax and abdomen, giving them an almost skeletal appearance.
Wasp behavior varies dramatically from species to species, but the solitary variety is usually found nesting under easements or gutters. They are an aggressive, stinging species, and will attack if they feel threatened.
Establishing what type of wasp infestation, you have is essential to dealing with them appropriately. This job is usually best handled by a professional exterminator, as mismanagement can lead to quick re-infestation.
As mentioned, yellowjackets and hornets are technically types of wasps, hornets being the largest variety of social wasps on the continent. They can establish nests rather quickly, building gray, paper-like nests in the shape of open cones or ovals.
Due to their size and their hyper-aggressive behavior, they are among the most severe infestations you can have.
The easiest way to spot a hornet is to look at its size. Hornets can be up to 70{65912cbb7fb7a2dbb6ad30a0365ccbbcccb253951f9b768d2dc3f3856922a6b5} larger than other members of the wasp family, with a visible stinger and black, white, gray, or yellowish coloring. Their waist is quite skinny as well, and their wings often stick at dramatic angles to their body, forming a “triangular” shape.
Hornets feed upon sugar-rich nectars, saps, and fruits, but are also known to attack other insects, like bees. As they are highly social, you can almost always identify a hornet infestation by looking at the nest. It will usually be large and paper-like, with a single hole at the bottom for entry and exit.
Hornets, while they certainly pose a danger, are essential to a healthy insect ecosystem. In many cases, the nest can be relocated rather than eradicated. Either way, it is always essential to rely on a trained professional for this service.
As you can see, it’s essential to know the difference between the types of stinging insects you might encounter on your property. Identification, after all, is the first step to deciding whether or not you want to accommodate their presence, or if the risks are just too many to allow them to stay.
Either way, should you decided to eradicate a nest, hive, or burrow, please consider hiring a professional like PermaKill Exterminating rather than employing do-it-yourself methods. Not only can poor execution result in quick re-infestation, but it can also lead to painful stings as well.
Ants are among the most common of household invaders, and while they might not be dangerous, they are most definitely a nuisance. Problems are especially apparent when it comes to some more destructive ant species, like carpenter ants, who can actually do damage to your property by burrowing through wood, paneling, flooring, and drywall.
Ant infestations are a year-round problem, but they are most prevalent in spring, summer, and early autumn. No matter where they live, most homeowners will encounter an ant infestation at some point in their lives. Not only is it important to know what causes these infestations, but also how to recognize them and – finally – when it’s time to call a professional.
The most common culprit when it comes to ant infestations is uncovered food. This food could be in your garbage can, on your counter, or even in your refrigerator – it doesn’t matter. Ants are tenacious workers and voracious eaters, and they when they find food, they often comb the area for more.
There are two main types of infestations: indoor and outdoor. Most infestations are the latter, with the ants establishing a safe, viable nest next to a food source and creating a “worker’s trail” to bring the goodies back to the queen. Ants can build these outdoor nests in holes in the ground, cracks in concrete, or various dirt hills around the property.
Indoor infestations, while much rarer, are more challenging to identify and much more difficult to treat. In these situations, the colony establishes a nest somewhere in the home. It could be under a refrigerator, in a crawl space, or behind your framework. Either way, if you see one ant, there are likely hundreds or thousands more hiding somewhere.
There are several signs to look for when deciding whether or not you may have an ant infestation. The first, and most obvious, is to look for live ants. Ants don’t usually wander into a home for no reason. They’re scouting food. If you start seeing ants in your garbage can or near food sources – rotten or otherwise – you can bet, there’s more lurking nearby.
The second sign to watch for is organized ant movement or “trails” in and around your home. Ants use pheromones to create traffic lanes to food and back to the nest. If you see this type of movement anywhere on your property, it might only be a matter of time before a scout picks up on the abundance of food in your home.
Lastly, it’s crucial that you don’t ignore ant hills on your property. The presence of a hill means a thriving colony, and there are likely hundreds of scouts out looking for ways to keep the hive going. The more ant hills, and the closer to your home, the bigger the problem.
Carpenter ants are an entirely different breed of ant and a completely different breed of problem. These ants aren’t worried about establishing a nest in or near your home – your home is the nest. These ants burrow through wood and other soft materials, building tunnels and growing their colony under your very nose.
You can identify carpenter ant infestations from piles of wood shavings that begin to appear in your home and when winged ants begin making an appearance. Lastly, once the colony becomes established, you might even notice a distinct “rustling” sound behind walls or above ceilings. This indicates a severe infestation that needs to be dealt with immediately.
Ants and the problems they cause are no small matter. Though there are dozens of over-the-counter products that claim to eliminate ants and ant colonies cheaply, they don’t take into account the user’s lack of expertise in identifying the source of infestations. In many cases, the ant population returns in just a few weeks.
The best solution is to put your trust in a professional exterminator. These men and women have years of experience identifying and eradicating ant colonies. After a thorough inspection of your property, they will develop a game plan to attack the nest from the inside out. These solutions are often permanent, quick, and affordable.
If you think you might have an ant infestation, don’t hesitate. Contact the professionals at PermaKill Exterminating today for a free quote.
Few species of pest earn more disdain than ticks, small blood-feeding parasites that are responsible for painful, irritating bites, as well as a wide range of diseases – some of which cause permanent health issues. Mention ticks to even the most seasoned outdoorsman, and they’ll tell you that an encounter with one of these insects is nothing to take lightly.
To protect yourself, your family, and your pets from ticks and the diseases they spread, it’s essential to understand these pests and why they are dangerous. It’s also crucial to realize that eradicating ticks is a good idea anytime they are found close to humans. Such a job means contacting a professional, who can discuss the proper option for dealing with the parasites.
The first thing that comes to most people’s minds when they hear the word “tick” is a condition known as Lyme disease. This debilitating and recurring illness, however, is just one of many diseases that can be transmitted by an infected tick. Other conditions include Q Fever, Typhus, and meningoencephalitis, as well as bacterial and protozoan infections.
In the United States, there has also been an explosion of a unique species called The Lone Star Tick. One bite from this sneaky arachnid can render a person severely allergic to red meat of all kinds. Unfortunately, this species is not the only one that has seen a dramatic uptick in range and population in recent years.
Scientists have recently warned that New Jersey, as well as other heavily-wooded North-eastern states, are likely going to see an increase in tick populations in the coming years.
As the environment becomes wetter and hotter due to climate change, it creates the perfect, ultra-humid habit for various types of ticks to thrive, reproduce, and expand their territories.
The most common types of ticks in New Jersey include the following:
Also known as the “black-legged tick,” the deer tick is one of the most common species in the Northeastern US. It gets its name because it primarily feeds off the blood of white-tailed deer, though it can and will attach to humans whenever possible.
Deer ticks live for two years and are incredibly hearty and durable. They are the primary transmitters of Lyme disease in North America.
These exotic ticks came to us from Asia and first established themselves in New Jersey in 2017. Since then, they have become an invasive and dangerous guest in our woods.
With exotic animals come exotic diseases, including theileriosis, which is transmitted to cattle and can be extremely deadly to calves. They also put humans at risk of conditions like Russian Spring-Summer Encephalitis and Spotted Fever.
The aforementioned Lonestar Tick and the unique condition it transmits has been quite popular in the news cycles lately, and for a good reason.
The tick, which was previously confined primarily to the southern states, has made its way up north in recent years, establishing new habitats and infecting more people every year.
The American Dog Tick is one of the most prevalent ticks in the country and has a wide range of preferred hosts, including humans and pets.
Aside from transmitting a large number of bacteria and diseases, these ticks can also cause “tick paralysis,” a weakness of the limbs caused by a neurotoxin present in the tick’s system.
Hard ticks like the ones listed above seek out food by hiding on grass, leaves, or other vegetation and grabbing hosts that pass by. As they are small, they are nearly impossible to see, and their bites can be subtle at first.
Though ticks are often quite solitary, it is possible for a human or animal to pick up many ticks in just a short time in their habitat.
Ticks usually prefer humidity and moisture, living in deeper woods and forests. However, they can also find suitable habitats on properties with shrubs, weeds, and tall grasses. Unfortunately, the closer the tick is to a home, the more likely their next host will be a pet or family member.
As we mentioned, ticks are small and quite hard to see. Also, you don’t want to wait until after a bite to take action. In most cases, it’s best to take a proactive approach. Have a professional evaluate your home for potential tick habitats, and then attempt to establish whether or not there are ticks present.
No matter where you live, it’s possible to be susceptible to tick bites and, consequently, disease. When going into the woods, wear proper clothing and tick repellent whenever possible, and always check yourself, your family, and your pets for bites.
If you spot ticks in and around your home, be sure to contact PermaKill Exterminating for a free quote today!
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