OKC Pest Control Shares Information About This Common Tick
As we mentioned in our blog article, last week, the threats of ticks are all too real. Of course, that story was just about Lyme disease and the one type of tick known for transmitting that disease. It’s important to know that many other types of ticks exist as well as the various types of diseases that can be transmitted. Today, our OKC pest control professionals felt it would be wise to share a little bit about one of the most commonly seen ticks known as the American dog tick.
Imagine that you were lying in bed fast asleep and suddenly you felt a little tickle moving up your arm. That awkward feeling alone might startle you enough, but seeing a tick crawling on you can certainly hinder your sleep thereafter. Our OKC pest control team understands the struggle as this is the experience many pet owners have had while sleeping next to their beloved dog campions.
Catching the American dog tick before it bites is, perhaps, one of the luckiest situations as this type of tick is known to carry Tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Most people exposed to Tularemia who show signs of the illness will do so within 3-5 days, but some have reported that it takes up to 14 days. While there are several types of tularemia, depending on how it was contracted, the most common type and its symptoms include:
Type Of Tularemia: Ulceroglandular tularemia
Symptoms:
- A skin ulcer that forms at the site of infection
- Swollen and painful lymph glands
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Exhaustion
Our OKC pest control team recommends that you see your doctor immediately if you feel you have this disease as most cases can be cured with prompt care.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever also usually shows up within 14 days. It is a bacterial infection that can cause serious damage to internal organs, such as your kidneys and heart if it is not promptly treated.
The common symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever are:
- Severe headache
- High fever
- Chills
- Muscle aches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Restlessness and insomnia
- A rash on the wrists and ankles (usually after a few days)
Again, it is important to visit the doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of these signs after a tick bite.
The best thing to do to protect yourself, your pets, and others from the American dog tick is utilize prevention. OKC pest control is one of the best prevention methods to keeping your yard pest free. To get started with your OKC pest control treatment plan please contact The Bug Guy at 405-973-5522.