Summer in Texas is a time to be vigilant about taking care of your turf, and that means more than the searing heat of soaring temperatures. Preventive protections like consistent lawn care services and soil maintenance can help your lawn become healthier, reducing the factors that make it more appealing to turf insects (such as chinch bugs) and even pests like fleas or ticks. Ticks carry various diseases that affect both humans and animals, making awareness of what those illnesses are and their symptoms important to the safety of the whole family.
Common Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in North Texas
The most common type of tick by far is the Lone Star Tick, and it’s about the size of a watermelon seed. The female is identifiable by a single white spot on the back; the male has white markings around the perimeter of the back.
Lawn treatment companies work to prevent the turf conditions that support Lone Star ticks and their reproduction to keep these insects away from your home and family. Now that you have an idea about the size and look of this common pest, let’s review some tick-borne illnesses and how to identify them.
Lyme Disease
In Texas, the most frequently diagnosed tick-borne illness is Lyme disease, a bacterial infection identified by skin, joint and heart issues, as well as problems with the central nervous system. Lyme is typically characterized by a “bull’s-eye rash” at the site of a bite, and about 7–14 days after being bitten, the appearance of symptoms such as fatigue, headache, fever, stiff neck and joint pain. Even tick removal isn’t simple. For instance, if a tick is crushed with the fingers, the bacteria can penetrate the skin or come into contact with mucous membranes.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
The incubation period for Rocky Mountain spotted fever is between 3–14 days after a tick bite, and symptoms include a sudden onset of fever, headache, chills and muscle aches. A rash frequently appears a few days later. Without prompt medical attention, Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be fatal.
Tularemia
Tularemia can be spread through the bite of a tick, contact with blood or tissue from infected animals, or by consuming undercooked meat from infected animals. Symptoms include ulcerated skin at the bite site and painful, swollen lymph glands. If ingested, symptoms include throat infection, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting.
Ehrlichiosis
Although rare, Texans should also be aware of ehrlichiosis. Symptoms appear after about 12 days, and include a sudden onset of illness with fever, chills, headache and lethargy.
Safety Tips for North Texans in Tick-Prone Areas
If you are in a potentially infested area, check your body every few hours. Stay on marked trails. Wear a hat, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants tucked into boots. Use insect repellent containing DEET or permethrin applied to clothing. And make sure to follow label directions. Frequently check pets for ticks and remove them immediately.
To fully enjoy your yard in the summer, call in the professionals for turf insect control treatments to help you have a thick, healthy, stunning lawn and garden.
Get Customized Lawn Care Services in Tarrant County
Find out what your lawn needs to thrive. Professional lawn care services from Green Top Lawn Care include everything from aeration and fertilization to turf insect treatments. Our skilled pros will establish the right plan for you. Call us today at (817) 684-4044 or request a free quote.
