No Time for Lyme: Fast Facts About Ticks & Lyme Disease

May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month. According to the CDC, there are approximately 30,000 cases of Lyme Disease reported each year. The warmer weather brings the greatest risk of tick bites, with most bites occurring in late spring through early summer.  So, now is the time to be extra vigilant in checking yourself and your family for ticks.  

JP McHale is committed to our work in eliminating the risks of Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses for our clients, as well as the communities we serve. Here are some fast facts about Lyme Disease.

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.

How is Lyme Disease Contracted?

It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks. This pest is most commonly found in deeply wooded areas as well as in areas with tall grass.

Common Symptoms of Lyme Disease:

• Fever
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Rash (the rash often has a red center and is surrounded by a clear ring with a red circle around it, often referred to as a bullseye)

Ways to Prevent Lyme Disease:

• Dress to protect - Wear long pants and sleeves when going into an area that’s likely to be a tick habitat.
• Use repellents - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -registered insect repellents external icon containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanoate.
• Stay on the pavement - Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter as this is where ticks tend to live. While hiking, walk in the center of trails.
• Examine yourself - Conduct a full body check after being in a potentially tick-infested area, including your own backyard.
• Shower Immediately - Showering within two hours of being outside has been proven to reduce the risk of getting Lyme disease and may also help wash off unattached ticks.
• Protect your four-legged friends- Use an FDA-approved anti-tick product on your pets before taking them out. before taking them out. Be sure to also check them for ticks after taking them outside; in and around the ears, around the eyelids, under the collar, under the front legs, between the back legs, between the toes, and around the tail

JP McHale Pest Management: Our Commitment to Protecting Public Health

Keeping the communities we serve healthy and safe is our top priority. JP McHale’s Organic Tick Management program effectively reduces the tick population on your property, while guarding against vector-borne diseases like Lyme. To find out more about how JP McHale Pest Management can help reduce the tick population on your property, call us today at (800) 479-2284 for a free estimate, or email sales@nopests.com; website nopest.com.