Ticks & Mites Control

Ticks and Lyme disease are a real threat. Here’s how to avoid them.

Ticks are known for spreading lyme disease to people, but pets are also susceptible to this serious disease. “Pet owners and parents in Victoria should be especially vigilant against the tick, which spreads Lyme disease.”

Why Worry About Ticks? Lyme Disease.

Lyme disease is a scary illness. If it’s discovered early, the majority of patients with Lyme disease make a full recovery. But left untreated, the bacteria that cause Lyme can attack many systems of the body, including the skin, heart, nerves, and joints. Unfortunately, Lyme can be contracted more than once, even in someone who has been previously treated for the disease.

Pets sickened with Lyme disease may suffer from fever, decreased appetite, painful joints, limping and lethargy. In severe cases, kidney disease can also occur.

Other Worrisome Ticks

Blacklegged ticks have us worried about Lyme disease. But brown dog ticks are also common in SoCal. These ticks are larger than blacklegged deer ticks and don’t carry Lyme—though they can cause “tick paralysis” when a female dog tick attaches near a pet’s spinal cord. Tick paralysis can lead to muscle weakness, loss of coordination and, in some cases, death from respiratory failure.

How to Protect Against Ticks

• Treat pets with veterinarian-approved anti-tick medication.
• Check pets and children frequently for ticks. Be aware of excessive scratching and licking in your pets.
• Avoid tall grass, where ticks often hide.
• Keep your yard well maintained, and keep children and pets in sunnier, open areas, where ticks are less likely to frequent.
• When going outdoors, dress in long sleeves, long pants, a hat, and close-toed shoes to minimize exposed skin.
• Consider using repellents like DEET or permethrin.
• Keep wild animals away from your home by securing trash bins and closing up areas of entry, like gaps around windows or doors.

If you are seeing ticks, don’t wait — Alpha Pest Control has the professional skills to help you manage tick risk for you, your family, and your pets.

Suspect your home has a tick problem? Alpha Pest Control is here to help. We’ve been helping customers in Victoria deal with ticks and other pests so many years. Call us any time at 0414 016 712.