Common Types
The state of Vermont is home to 14 different types of ticks. Some of the most common species are black-legged, lone star, and American dog ticks. The black-legged tick, or deer tick, is the only kind known to spread Lyme disease in the area. Vermont has one of the highest rates of infection in the country.
How Do Ticks Get Inside?
Typically found in wooded or grassy areas, a tick can attach to humans or animals. Homes near overgrown fields and brush are more susceptible to infestation. You should check yourself, children, and pets for ticks after doing yard work, gardening, or other outdoor activities where these pests may be present.
Tick Diseases
Although only deer ticks carry Lyme disease, other species in VT may transmit infections such as babesiosis and anaplasmosis. Both people and pets can develop symptoms like fever, chills, and muscle aches. These could appear in as little as three days or up to a month later.
What To Do?
When you find a tick, carefully remove it with tweezers. You can also wear long sleeves and pants to prevent these pests from reaching your skin, and light-colored clothing makes them easier to spot. Ticks in Vermont are an ongoing issue, so contact the experts at Waltham Pest Services if you think you have a problem.