How to Help Protect Children and Pets from Ticks and Mosquitoes All Season

Pittsboro’s charm can be found in the many creeks and wooded lots that make up the city. Nearby Jordan Lake helps keep local soil moist and humidity high, a perfect benefit for ticks and mosquitoes to thrive in. Summertime sees kids and pets playing outside more than ever, putting them directly in the way of ticks and mosquitoes.

Preventing tick bites is important, especially in children and pets as ticks can carry several diseases. Tick bites can spread Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain fever, and babesiosis to people and pets. Symptoms are varied, so consult a doctor after a tick bite. Because dogs and cats may bring ticks indoors on their coats, one outdoor encounter can become a household concern in Pittsboro.

Know Where Ticks and Mosquitoes Gather

Ticks do not jump or fly; rather, they wait in grasses and bushes, waiting for a person or animal to brush past. Pittsboro homes might have these common tick zones like wooded borders, fence lines, stacked wood, and shady dog runs.

While ticks don't move far on their own, mosquitoes can have wide ranges. They will settle in the smallest pool of water and lay hundreds of eggs, but mosquitoes behave differently. They breed in standing water and often rest in shaded, humid areas during the day. Birdbaths, clogged gutters, plant saucers, toys, tarps, buckets, and low spots in the yard can all become mosquito-friendly spaces. Even a small amount of water can support mosquito activity.

Build Better Outdoor Habits

There are easy ways to help reduce breeding and resting places for ticks and mosquitoes. While working with Mosquito Squad Plus can offer options, like our barrier treatment, for steady tick and mosquito control, doing a few of these simple things can help support those treatments. Mowing the lawn regularly and reducing leaf litter, along with emptying toys, tarps, and birdbaths of standing water, will reduce pest populations.

Picking the right clothes when you know you and your kids will be outside can help prevent ticks from latching on and make them easier to spot. Light colored clothing will make the dark ticks stand out. Tucking pant legs into socks may prevent ticks from crawling up pant legs.

Make Tick Checks Part of Your Routine

Checking for ticks after spending time outside can reduce a tick's chance of biting. Before children get settled inside, check their hairline, under arms, waistband, knees, socks, and even shoes. Pets don't escape checks either! Pay attention to eyelids, ears, collars, and toes for common tick hiding spots. The nymph stage for ticks is when they are the smallest and most mobile; they're hard to see, so take your time checking kids and pets.

If you find an attached tick, there are a couple of methods for removal, the most reliable being tweezers, grasp close to the skin and pull with steady pressure. Monitor for any swelling.

Working with Mosquito Squad Plus

Even careful habits cannot address every tick hiding place. That is where Mosquito Squad Plus of The Sandhills can help. Our trained professionals can apply mosquito control treatments to foliage, shrubs, and other mosquito resting areas. Traditional mosquito barrier treatments can reduce mosquitoes by up to 85–90% for up to 21 days. For homeowners interested in a different approach, our natural treatment option is also effective for up to 21 days.

Mosquito Squad also provides targeted tick control for brushy, shady, and grassy zones near the places children and pets spend time. Scheduled services, one-time treatments for outdoor gatherings, and customized recommendations can all help Pittsboro homeowners build a stronger plan for outdoor comfort. If your backyard, trail-side property, or wooded lot needs attention, learn more about Pittsboro tick control and request a quote from Mosquito Squad Plus of The Sandhills.