Middle Tennessee Warning: Tick-Borne Illnesses Are on the Rise!
If you live in Middle Tennessee, you’re going to want to keep reading this. Tick season is at its peak and we want to remind you of the different types of ticks and diseases they spread. A recent news article stated that emergency room visits for tick bites are at an all-time high right now. In fact, it marks the highest rate for this time of year since 2017.
Unfortunately, the warmer winters aren’t as great as they seem. A temperature spike allows tick populations to accelerate, which causes their season to start sooner and grow extremely quick. If your family loves spending time outdoors in the summer, this is something you need to pay attention to.
Ticks are more than annoying, especially during this time of year. They carry dangerous diseases, such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and alpha-gal syndrome. These illnesses have all been classified as growing concerns across the state of Tennessee. But are you ready for the scariest part? Most people don’t actually realize they’ve been bitten.
Why Tick Activity is Increasing in Tennessee
Middle Tennessee’s warm temperatures, wooded areas, and humidity create the perfect environment for ticks to survive in. Mild winters and early springs are also making tick season last longer than normal.
According to several reports from the CDC, ticks are remaining a dangerous threat earlier in the spring and surviving longer than they should be. When you’re out hiking, gardening, or hanging out around your yard, wear appropriate clothes and take the necessary steps to avoid a tick bite.
You might find ticks in the most obvious places like tall grass, leaf piles, hiking trails, brush and shrubs, near bodies of water, or along fence lines. Unfortunately, ticks are a lot closer than you think and most people pick them up in their own yard. This is why it’s important to keep up with regular pest control services and keep your yard maintained all-year-round. In fact, if you don’t do anything to prevent them, they’ll make things so much worse for you and your family down the road.
The Most Common Tick-Borne Illnesses Across the Country
A few of the most common diseases that ticks can spread are Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and alpha-gal syndrome. Let’s talk more about each one of them.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-borne illnesses in the United States. It’s transmitted primarily through black-legged ticks. If you experience anything like fevers, feeling overly tired, headaches, muscle and joint pain, or something called a bulls-eye rash, we encourage you to seek immediate care. Because if this condition gets left untreated, it will result in affecting your joints, nervous system, and even cause heart disease.
One of the worst things about Lyme disease is how each symptom can appear days or even weeks after a bite. And that’s what makes it extremely difficult to know where the disease came from.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Despite the name, this disease is actually more prone for people in the south and southeast. One interesting fact about this certain condition is that it was first discovered in the Rocky Mountains during the late 19th century. But that’s not the case for today’s world. If you live in the south, you will find more cases for this disease increasing exponentially.
If you experience any symptoms related to this disease and wait for treatment, it will become life-threatening. Some symptoms often include fever, severe headache, rashes, nausea, muscle aches, and even vomiting.
As you can see, seeking immediate care is absolutely critical. Take care of yourself first.
Alpha-Gal Syndrome
A third common disease and one of the fastest growing concerns in the south is the alpha-gal syndrome. This condition often comes from the lone star ticks.
Unlike Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, alpha-gal syndrome causes a really bad allergy to red meat. And if you’re someone who enjoys eating steaks, hamburgers, or bacon, please don’t take this warning for granted.
If you’ve been bitten by a lone star tick, you might start to experience hives, stomach pain, nausea, swelling, difficulty breathing, and a severe allergy to red meat. It’s honestly crazy how a single tick bite can completely change a person’s diet in the blink of an eye. Don’t let the lone star ticks stop you from enjoying the food you love.
Stay ahead of them by keeping up with your regular mosquito, flea, and tick treatments.
Why Tick Prevention Matters Now More Than Ever
Okay here’s the truth. The best defense mechanism against ticks is prevention. And not just any form of prevention. You need a trusted pest control service to provide you with consistent treatments to make sure the problem stays pest-free.
Several reports are continuing to express concerns and warn everyone about the rise of tick activity. Follow these important ways to keep you and your family safe this season.
Wear Protective Clothing
When you’re outside in nature, make sure you have long sleeves, long pants, all socks, and closed-toe shoes. Another thing that helps spot ticks easier is wearing light-colored clothing.
Check Yourself BEFORE You Head Back Inside
Before you go back inside your house, it’s important to do a full body check to make sure you don’t bring an unwanted guest with you.
Ticks love the following areas. Check your legs, around your waist, behind your knees, under your arms, or around your scalp and hairline. Their favorite places to hide are in warm, hidden areas, which makes your body the most ideal spot for them.
Check Your Pets
Dogs are a prime target for ticks. It’s a good idea to inspect their fur on a regular basis, especially after walks or being outside for a longer period of time.
Keep Your Yard Well-Maintained
It’s really that simple. Keeping up with your landscape and yard maintenance makes all the difference. For instance, mow the lawn weekly, remove leaf piles from your home, trim shrubs, reduce standing brush, and hire a trusted pest control company to create a barrier around your home.
If You Find a Tick on You, Don’t Panic. Here’s What You Should Do:
If you find a tick on your skin, don’t panic. Remove it carefully with tweezers by pulling upward without twisting it and pull it by the head. Then, clean the area and take care of yourself over the next several days or weeks. If you start experiencing any of the symptoms we’ve talked about, it’s your sign to pay a visit to the closest urgent care.
PLEASE Don’t Let a Tick Bite Ruin Your Summer and Lifestyle
Summer should be about enjoying the outdoors without constantly worrying about ticks or other pests. With a sudden spike in the tick population, these diseases are becoming more common across the country. That’s why making you and your family and friends aware matters to us. We want to help you stay tick-free this season and beyond.
We’re not just saying words when we say prevention makes all the difference. U.S. Pest is committed to doing Whatever It Takes to help you and your loved ones stay pest-free. Our professional mosquito, flea, and tick treatment reduces the population around your property and gives you more peace of mind.
So this is your sign to not wait until you receive a bite. Stay alert, get protection, and take our warning seriously. Don’t let these tiny pests create a bigger problem for you later on.
Give us a call today or schedule a consultation for more information on tick prevention.
