Brentwood Tick Control for Prevention of Heartland Virus
Posted by Mosquito Squad
December 20, 2023
Brentwood Tennessee ticks could be carrying a rare but dangerous illness. Protect yourself with effective tick control and protection.
Unfortunately, the Brentwood tick borne virus known as the Heartland Virus – or HRTV – can be fatal. An 80 year old Tennessee resident was hospitalized with fever, confusion, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia and developed failure of multiple body organs and hemorrhage. The gentleman died on his 15th day in the hospital, and autopsy specimens were tested for various pathogens as part of an unexplained death evaluation. The culprit was the Heartland Virus, which is just one of the reasons why Brentwood tick control is indeed a serious matter.
As of last November 2022, more than 60 cases of Heartland Virus disease have been reported from states in the Midwestern, Northeastern, and Southern United States. Most people diagnosed with the disease became sick from May through September. All residents of and visitors to areas where Heartland virus activity has been identified are at risk of Heartland Virus infection, particularly people who engage in outdoor work and recreational activities.
For this reason, residents in Brentwood and local outdoor enthusiasts throughout the Brentwood, Tennessee, area are urged to protect themselves and their families with Brentwood tick control.
Brentwood Tick Control Options
Your best bet for dependable, effective, regularly scheduled tick control is the Brentwood tick control favorite – Mosquito Squad of Nashville. Starting with our tick control yard spray options – and tips for lessening the tick population, the coming spring season can truly be a joyous one.
This time of the year is critically important for Brentwood tick control as Nashville ticks awaken from their hibernating slumber, looking for a free ride by latching onto humans and our pets. And with those Brentwood ticks come the diseases they carry and transmit.
After they latch onto our skin and get comfortable, they bite and attempt to slowly burrow into our bodies. And with those bites and their presence in our bloodstream, that is where the horrors of Heartland Virus can begin.
Proactive Brentwood tick control starts with a conscientious awareness of what – and what not to do. The first critical step in starting your tick control regimen is with seasonal tick protection and tick elimination with Mosquito Squad.
Our two distinct types of control services are our traditional mosquito barrier treatment which kills ticks on contact, and tick control tubes. Placed strategically around your property, these biodegradable tick tubes lure mice. Each tube is filled with insecticide-soaked cotton that the mice then collect and use for bedding. The reason we target mice is simple: When ticks attach to mice, they will be taken to their nest and poisoned by the cotton.
In addition, you can figuratively join the Mosquito Squad team by following the 6 Cs of tick control and tick elimination.
1. Clear Out: Reduce your tick exposure by clearing out areas where lawn and tree debris gathers. Ticks thrive in moist, shady areas and tend to die in sunny, dry areas. Don't position playground equipment, decks, or patios near treed areas.
2. Clean: Eliminate leaf litter by cleaning it from around the house and lawn edges. We also recommend mowing tall grass to keep your lawn short.
3. Choose Plants: Since deer can bring ticks to your landscape, select plants and shrubs that don’t attract deer. You can also install physical barriers to keep deer out of your yard. Check with your local nursery to determine the best choices for your area.
4. Check Hiding Places: Know tick hiding places and check them frequently. Fences, brick walls, and patio retaining walls are popular hiding places.
5. Care for Family Pets: Family pets can suffer from tick-borne disease and can also carry infected ticks into your home. Talk to your veterinarian about using tick collars and sprays.
6. Call the Pros: Contact Mosquito Squad.
Brentwood Tick Protection Options
Be sure to remain protected at all times outdoors, especially away from home. This includes days at the lake, backyard parties, and outdoor concerts and festivals.
To keep those troublesome ticks away, wear long sleeves and pants, even if it's hot out. Even better, wear light-colored clothing on which it's easier to spot dark-colored ticks. Whatever you do, don't wear clothes with holes or mesh. Young ticks are around the size of a poppy seed and can easily squeeze through fabric with holes and openings.
While getting dressed, be sure to apply sunscreen to exposed parts of your body and then spray tick repellent on your skin and on the outside of your clothes.
What it comes down to is Brentwood tick control is all about making it difficult for ticks to bite you.
Once you’re back indoors, hop in the shower and check yourself for ticks. Showering can wash away any ticks that may be on your skin but have not yet attached, and it’s an opportunity to check your skin for any bites.
If you discover that you have been bitten by a tick, don’t panic. Just grab a pair of tweezers and carefully remove it. The sooner you remove the tick, the less chance it will have to transmit disease.
Brentwood Tick Protection For Pets
Dogs are very susceptible to tick bites and tickborne diseases. Vaccines are not available for most of the tickborne diseases that dogs can get, and they don’t keep the dogs from bringing ticks into your home. For these reasons, it’s important to use a tick preventive product on your dog, too.
Tick bites on dogs may be hard to detect. Signs of tickborne disease may not appear for one to three weeks or longer after a tick bite, so watch your dog closely for changes in behavior or appetite if you suspect that your pet has been bitten by a tick.
As part of your Brentwood tick control strategy, speak with your veterinarian about:
1. The best tick prevention products for your dog, and
2. Tickborne diseases in your area
To further reduce the chances that a tick bite will make your dog sick:
1. Check your pets for ticks daily, especially after they spend time outdoors.
2. If you find a tick on your pet, remove it right away.
3. Reduce tick habitat in your yard with effective Brentwood tick control outlined here.
Trust Mosquito Squad of Nashville for all your tick control Brentwood TN needs. Contact us at (615) 492-3662.