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Help! I Was Bitten By A Tick In Folsom, CA
October 22, 2021
While there are many pests in Folsom, California that can bite, one of the most disgusting and dangerous of them all is the tick. These tiny creatures aren’t actually insects. Instead, they are a kind of arachnid, making them more closely related to spiders and scorpions. And, instead of just biting, they will attach themselves to a host animal or human and embed their heads into the skin to get a blood meal.
Ticks can be challenging to remove, and they spread many different illnesses, including Lyme disease and tularemia. In order to protect yourself from ticks and their bites, this guide explains how to identify ticks, their bites, and what to do next.
What Do Ticks Look Like?
While there are many different species of ticks, the most common in Folsom, California is American dog ticks and black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks. American dog ticks are a dark reddish-brown color with some cream-colored markings. They commonly use dogs as hosts.
The deer tick, which attaches to both animal and human hosts, is a dark brown color on the top half of its body and its legs, but the lower half is orange. This species is of particular concern because they often carry Lyme disease.
What To Do If You’re Bitten
If you are bitten by a tick and find that the tick is still attached to your body, you can follow the tips below to remove the pest safely.
- Use a fine-tipped pair of tweezers to firmly grasp the tick close to the surface of your skin.
- Do your best not to squish or rupture the tick during this process.
- Next, pull upward with firm, even pressure. Be careful not to twist or jerk the tick as this can cause bits of the tick to be left behind under the skin.
- Once you pull off the tick, clean your hands and the bite area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
- Lastly, place the tick in a sealed bag and consult your physician about what you should be on the lookout for or do next.
The less time the tick stays embedded in the skin the lower the chances of it spreading disease so don't delay in taking these steps to remove an embedded tick.
Warning Signs Of Tick Bites
It’s possible to be bitten by a tick and not even realize it at first, so it’s also essential to know some of the symptoms of common reactions or illnesses caused by tick bites. While reactions to the bite can vary from person to person, one of the most tell-tale signs of Lyme disease is a rash that develops into a bulls-eye pattern.
Other symptoms of potential complications include fever, joint pain, headache, and muscle aches. If you’re having any of these symptoms or other concerning ones, the best thing to do is contact a medical professional right away. It’s always best to err on the side of caution with tick bites.
How Can You Keep Ticks Away From Your Property?
Ticks often come around properties that have infestations of wildlife or rodents. So, the best way to keep ticks away is to get professional pest control from Neighborly Pest Management. We provide ongoing tick prevention by removing both ticks and other pest infestations.
Find out more about how to protect yourself and your property from ticks by giving us a call today. We also provide free inspections.
