tick
Control
We all wish we could exterminate ticks, but unfortunately, getting rid of the pests completely isn’t an option. While we aren’t tick exterminators, we do have effective tick control methods that reduce the risk of having a tick make a meal out of you in your own yard.
Tick Facts
Habitat: Wooded areas with trees, high grass, or weeds
Species: 20+ known species of ticks in Michigan
Food: Blood of animals, and sometimes humans
Lifecycle: 3 stages – larval, nymphal, and adult – usually live up to 3 years
Common Ticks to Watch Out For in Southwest Michigan
- Brown Dog Tick
- Woodchuck Tick
- Blacklegged Tick (aka Deer Tick)
- American Dog Tick
- Lone Star Tick
The Population and Risk of Ticks
Ticks are prevalent in Southwestern Michigan, and ticks in Michigan do carry diseases. And the threat of ticks in Michigan has consistently grown in the last decade. Van Buren, Cass, Berrien, Kalamazoo, and Saint Joseph counties are among the counties in Michigan with the greatest risk for Lyme disease. While Lyme disease gets the most attention, many other tick-borne illnesses are harmful to humans.
Tick-Borne Illnesses Include
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Ehrlichiosis
- Deer-tick virus
- Tularemia
Reducing Tick Risks with Tick Control
There are several things you can do to reduce your risks of getting a tick bite when you spend time outdoors. Both personal and professional tick control can help keep you and your loved ones safe.
Personal Tick Control
- Wear protective clothing
- Stay on cleared trails when hiking
- Use bug spray with a DEET concentration of 20-30% (not for use on infants)
- Avoid using lotion with bug spray
- Reapply every 6-7 hours
- Check for ticks after entering wooded or grassy areas. Common places to find ticks include on the head, behind the ears, under the armpit and in the waist/groin area. Don’t forget to check your pets too!
Learn more about the best bug spray for ticks.
Professional Tick Control
Using an environmentally-friendly insecticide (Essentria© IC3), we can make your home less habitable to ticks. While this isn’t tick extermination (which isn’t really possible), it is an effective method of controlling the tick population in your yard that is safe for your family and pets.
For best results, we apply the tick control spray every 21-30 days depending on the scale of your tick problem. You, your family, and your pets can return to the sprayed location after just 30 minutes.
The best part? Essentria IC3 application is an effective method of mosquito control too!
We want you to enjoy time in your yard without worrying about the risks and annoyance that ticks and mosquitos bring. Contact us for a free property inspection that will result in a tick control quote that start at $60 depending on the size and difficulty of your property.
