Lone Star Tick

The Lone Star tick gets its name from the single whitish silver dot on the back of the females. And you should know, they bite humans more than any other variety of tick. And they are located mainly in the southeastern and eastern states.

Ticks cannot fly or jump. Instead, they simply lie in wait for a host to brush up against them, and they climb on. You see, they will scale up shrubs, grass, and other vegetation, attaching themselves to passing hosts such as rats, dogs, deer, rabbits, and rarely, even humans.

If you think you may have ticks in your home or yard, there are several things to do. But first, contact your local pest control company, like Drive-Bye Exterminators.

Lone Star Tick Appearance

Most people have some idea of how a tick looks. And if you are an outdoorsy type, you may have seen one up close. But knowing the difference between the ticks is a bit tricky. So here is a general overview of what the lone star tick looks like.

Size: Female 1/6 to 1/4 inch, Males are similar in size

Bodies: Both have flat oval bodies with eight legs.

Coloration: Females and males are reddish-brown all over. Interestingly the females have a silverish white spot on their back. In fact, that is where they get the name, lone star.

These ticks live about two years and go through four stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. To progress through the four stages, the tick must have blood for each meal. Their food source is from all sorts of furry animals, large and small. They go from host to host with each stage of life.

Have you seen a tick that looks just like this? Then, hurry and contact Drive-Bye Exterminators before you have a full-blown infestation.

Lone Star Tick Habitat

According to Pestworld.org, “Lone star ticks cannot survive long exposure to the sun and are therefore typically found in shaded areas. The habitat must also contain both small animal hosts for larvae and large animal hosts for adults. A relative humidity of greater than 65 percent is required for egg hatch and larval survival until host attachment. A favorite habitat of the lone star tick is the woods to lawn or meadow transitional zone.”

If you find Lone Star ticks in your home or on your dog, Drive-Bye Exterminators will come right out and begin the process of eradication.

Dangers Associated

Lone Star ticks are known to bite humans, unfortunately. And this tick is a carrier of several dangerous diseases. Here are some of them.

• Heartland virus
• Bourbon virus
• And Southern tick-associated rash illness

As soon as you recognize ticks on yourself, in your yard, or on your pet, contact the staff at Drive-Bye Exterminators. Be sure the entire tick is off, and call your doctor if the tick

was on you for any time.

How Tick Diseases Spread

The transmission of tick-borne illnesses to dogs is easy since they bite and drink blood. They are actually quite good at it. First, the tick will locate an excellent spot to feed on the host. Then it will grab on and insert the feeding tube. If unnoticed, the tick will then proceed to drink blood from the host for several days.

Now, when the tick moves into the next stage of life, the lone star tick will find a new host and transmit the disease to that one as well. So, the quicker humans get the tick off, the less chance they have of becoming sick from the tick. That is why it is so important to check for ticks after each hike.

Tick Bite Symptoms

Should you get bitten by a tick, here are the immediate symptoms you may see:

• A red ring
• Itching
• Fever
• Tick paralysis

Typically, the symptoms of a tick-borne disease will occur within a few days to a few weeks after a tick bite. However, make sure you see your doctor immediately after receiving a tick bite, even if you don’t have symptoms.

Tick Prevention

The key to lone star tick elimination is habitat modification and tick removal. Homeowners should keep the grass cut low and trim brush away from paths into the wooded areas. Another excellent idea is to keep rat attractors out of your yard.

That said, ticks can be relentless, so preventing them from ever getting on your dog or entering the home is the best idea. Here is what we suggest at Drive-Bye Exterminators.

1. Remove ticks as soon as noticed on a person or pet.
2. Apply insect and tick repellant to uncovered skin and clothing.
3. When in grassy areas, especially tall grass, wetland, and shrubbery, wear clothing covering the arms, legs, and feet (tuck pants inside socks or boots). Wear a hat.
4. Wear light-colored clothing as this will make it easier to see ticks.
5. If you are going to be in the garden or touching plants, wear garden gloves.
6. Immediately after being outdoors, check clothing and remove it before entering the home. Place clothing in a plastic bag to go directly into the wash.
7. Shower immediately after spending time outdoors and check your skin and scalp.
8. Be sure you are using a veterinary-approved tick control method for your pet.
9. Most importantly, call your veterinarian to check your pet that a tick has been entirely removed.
10. Always clean kennels and bedding areas if ticks are discovered on your dog.

For more information on the Lone Star tick, check this out at PestWorld.org.

Lone Star Tick Elimination

When walking through tall grasses, you cannot eliminate the ticks from the area. Therefore, the only way to stop them is to take preventative measures. That said, if your pet brings them in and you get an infestation in the home, your house may need treatment by a professional exterminator.

The best way to keep away an infestation is to keep all pet bedding cleaned and vacuumed. In addition, pet owners must have a routine flea and tick preventative.

Drive-Bye Exterminators offers home and commercial pest control services in Pinellas County, Florida, and the surrounding areas. Family-owned and operated for over 25 years, Drive-Bye Exterminators has state-certified inspectors and exterminators. And we provide flea and tick extermination services to commercial and residential clients. Drive-Bye Exterminators offers each client the same level of attention, professionalism, and excellence.

Request a Pest Control or Termite Inspection today with the Professionals of Drive-Bye Exterminators. Contact Us Today