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The American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) is found exclusively along North America’s east coast. This blood-sucking ectoparasite is notorious for harboring bacteria that cause serious medical conditions in their human victims. If you see one of these pests around your property, be sure to hire a pest control West Palm Beach expert to fix your problem.
American dog ticks are members of the hard tick species that are known to have hard exterior shields. They’re about one-quarter of an inch in terms of length and they appear to be dark reddish-brown in color.
Since they’re often found in wooded areas, American dog ticks are also referred to as wood ticks. Although these pests thrive in areas where the grass is abundant and the foliage is tall, they also show up along the sides of your hiking paths and other places where the terrain changes.
Furthermore,they feed on mammalian hosts that include squirrels, mice, raccoons. In mostcases, they strike near bodies of water where these animals stop to drink. Inorder to grow, American dog ticks need a blood meal during each stage of theirlives. Unless a female engorges herself with blood, she wouldn’t have enough ofthe nourishment that’s needed to produce countless eggs in a single batch. Whenit feeds, it embeds its mouthparts into its host. In order to prevent clotting,their saliva contains an anti-clotting agent that they inject into the host’sskin.
Peoplewho get bitten by American dog ticks can exhibit severe reactions. Seriousdiseases such as Tularemia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are oftentransmitted by these ticks. In some cases, their bites can even causeparalysis.
These ticks can be introduced into your home when it latches onto your pets. If you have tick issues, you’ll need to hire a pest control West Palm Beach expert. O’Hara Pest Control is here to keep your home safe and pest-free. Contact us today.
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