Protecting Against Ticks (and Lyme disease) in Ottawa, Wisconsin & Northern Illinois

Of all the bugs out there, ticks are among the most repulsive.

They latch onto a host. Creep around. Dig in. Gorge on blood. Yuck.

Worse, tick numbers are growing in Ottawa, Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Mild winters and a robust deer herd (which carries ticks) are often blamed.

Ticks Can Spread Lyme Disease

Ticks are revolting insects. They can be dangerous, too. The pinhead-size deer tick (one of two tick species in this area) can harbor Lyme disease. Its symptoms include a ring-shaped rash and fatigue; long-term effects can extend to injuring organs and the nervous system. Permanent disability is a very real possibility.

The CDC estimate that 300,000 Americans contract Lyme disease annually. Don’t be one in Ottawa. If you have ticks in your yard or are disturbed about the possibility, contact The Mosquito Guy

A single tick protection application by The Mosquito Guy will control ticks on your property for up to thirty days. Late spring and early summer are peak tick time, so applying tick repellent by mid-May is endorsed. Treatment starts at just $125 per yard.

Two treatments usually offer sufficient tick control. If you want to prevent ticks in your yard, call 262-521-1258, or e-mail margie@themosquitoguy.com, for a free quote.

You can take deterrent measures on your own, too. Ticks can’t jump or skitter, so try crafting distinctive paths between lawn and wooded areas made of wood chips or gravel. Clearing away tall grass helps.

When you’re outside, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to defend against ticks. Tucking pants into socks or boots creates a tight barrier. Wearing light-colored clothing makes ticks more visible.

Strong tick repellents are available. Twenty percent DEET formula is recommended.

Once back inside, check your whole body for ticks. They tend to hide, so don’t overlook your body’s natural areas of cover: hair, scalp, armpits, groin and behind the knee. Even wood ticks, the other common species in Ottawa, are only about a quarter-inch long (before blood siphoning, that is). Don’t be hesitant about searching, lest you miss a hitchhiker.

If you locate one, here’s how to remove it: Grab with a tweezer as close to the skin as possible, and pull straight up and out.

Don’t forget to check pets, too. If your dog or cat wanders tick territory, a veterinarian can apply or suggest a topical repellent to keep ticks away.

The most thorough approach, of course, is to make your yard as unwelcoming to ticks as possible … and that’s where The Mosquito Guy can help. Contact us for a yard application to keep ticks away. Consider it an investment against “disgusting” … and into your sanity.

Protecting Your Family Against Ticks & Lyme Disease near Ottawa, WI