There are only two types of ticks (hard and soft) with four prevalent species in the greater Houston area, but these little creatures can cause debilitating diseases that can disrupt our lives in a big way. These four dangers include: the Lone Star Tick, Black Legged Deer Tick, American Dog Tick and the Brown Dog Tick. Although they are all very similar in size and shape‐with only minor differences‐they transmit very different illnesses.
What is a tick? It is a small, brown, eight legged bug, with a tiny head, and a fat round bottom that burrows into skin and feeds on blood. Ticks live in the forest, and typically crawl up and over shoes to get to your skin, but it is not uncommon for them to fall on you from above. This is why many people find them attached to their scalp.
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. You’ve probably heard that this disease can be spread by ticks, but is it something you need to be worried about in the Houston area? Unfortunately, yes, Lyme disease, as well as other tick-borne illnesses, can be found in the area according to the Texas Lyme Disease Association, and can be extremely debilitating if not treated properly.
If you’re a pet owner, there’s a good chance that you’ve come across a tick at some point in your life. But have YOU ever been bitten by a tick? Folks that have can tell you that it’s not a pleasant experience! Running your hand across your skin and noticing a little tick body attached is enough to give you the creeps, but don’t panic; the Texas pest control pros at Holder’s have a few tips for you when dealing with a tick bite on your own body.
