Protecting Against Ticks (and Lyme disease) in Lake County, WI & Northern Illinois

Of all the bugs out there, ticks are among the most revolting.

They glom onto a host. Creep around. Dig in. Gorge on blood. Yuck.

Worse, tick populations are rising in Lake County, Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Less-harsh winters and a robust deer herd (which carries ticks) are often blamed.

Ticks Can Spread Lyme Disease

Ticks are repulsive creatures. They can be dangerous, too. The pinhead-size deer tick (one of two tick species in this area) can transmit Lyme disease. Its symptoms include a ring-shaped rash and fatigue; long-term effects can extend to damaging organs and the nervous system. Permanent disability is a very real possibility.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 300,000 Americans contract Lyme disease annually. Don’t be one in Lake County. If you have ticks in your yard or are anxious about the possibility, contact The Mosquito Guy

A single tick protection application by The Mosquito Guy will control ticks on your property for up to thirty days. Late spring and early summer are peak tick time, so applying tick repellent by mid-May is endorsed. Treatment starts at just $125 per yard.

Two applications usually offer sufficient tick control. If you want to prevent ticks in your yard, call 262-521-1258, or e-mail margie@themosquitoguy.com, for a free quote.

You can take safety steps on your own, too. Ticks can’t jump or skitter, so try creating distinct paths between lawn and wooded areas comprised of wood chips or gravel. Clearing away tall grass helps.

When you’re out and about, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to guard against ticks. Tucking pants into socks or boots creates a tight barrier. Wearing light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot.

Powerful tick repellents are available. Twenty percent DEET formula is advised.

Once back indoors, check your entire body for ticks. They like to hide, so don’t overlook your body’s natural areas of cover: hair, scalp, armpits, groin and behind the knee. Even wood ticks, the other common species in Lake County, are only about a quarter-inch long (before blood siphoning, that is). Don’t be modest about searching, lest you miss a hitchhiker.

If you locate one, here’s how to remove it: Grab with a tweezer as close to the skin as possible, and pull straight up and out.

Don’t forget to examine pets, too. If your dog or cat roams tick territory, a vet can apply or suggest a topical repellent to keep ticks away.

The best approach, of course, is to make your yard as unwelcoming to ticks as possible … and that’s where The Mosquito Guy can help. Contact us for a yard application to keep ticks away. Consider it an investment against “disgusting” … and into your sanity.