Ticks are small, parasitic insects that can transmit numerous diseases to humans and animals. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that "ticks are important vectors of several diseases that affect people and animals." These diseases include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and other illnesses. Ticks are also carriers of several types of viral diseases in animals, such as bovine anaplasmosis.

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What Are Ticks?

Ticks are small, eight-legged parasites that feed on the blood of animals and humans. Ticks are vectors of disease and can transmit illness when they bite. The two most common species of ticks in Connecticut are the deer tick and the dog tick.

The most recognizable stage of a tick's life cycle is the larval or "seed" stage. The larval stage is when ticks are most likely to attach to a host. The adult stage is when ticks become most active and can be seen crawling on the ground, looking for a host.

The life cycle of a tick is as follows:

• Egg stage: The female tick lays several hundred eggs, which hatch into larvae after a few days.
• Larval stage: The larvae are small, worm-like organisms that feed on the blood of an animal or human host for several days before molting into the next stage.
• Nymph stage: The nymphs are the most active stage of the tick's life cycle. Nymphs are small, eight-legged creatures that can crawl and jump long distances to find a host. Nymphs feed on the blood of an animal or human host for several days before molting into the next stage.
• Adult stage: The adult stage is when ticks become most active and can be seen crawling on the ground, looking for a host.

The two most common species of ticks in Connecticut are the deer tick and the dog tick. Ticks can be difficult to identify because they go through several stages of development and can change their appearance as they grow. Ticks are most active when the temperature is between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you are concerned that you might have a tick on your property, contact Total Pest Control, LLC today to schedule an inspection! Our tick control technicians are trained to identify ticks and other pests, and we can offer you personalized service to protect your family and your property. We proudly serve property owners across Southington, Bristol, Cheshire, Farmington, Prospect, Waterbury, CT, and the surrounding communities. 

Contact us today to schedule a tick control service!

The key to preventing ticks from becoming a problem on your property is to reduce their habitat. The CDC recommends that property owners make their land as inhospitable to ticks as possible by reducing the amount of vegetation and the number of potential host animals on their property. This can be accomplished by keeping grass trimmed, removing leaf litter and other debris from the yard, and removing brush and wood piles from the property.

Additionally, property owners should discourage wild animals from visiting their yard by keeping garbage cans closed, feeding pets indoors, and removing food bowls when not in use.

The CDC also recommends that property owners use repellents when spending time outside. Total Pest Control recommends the use of repellents that are registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and follow the product label instructions.

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