Ticks are common in Pennsylvania and have always been a problem, but now more so than ever. Increased rates of Deer Tick Virus have been found in a group of adult ticks in Clearfield County and they can spread this virus to humans through their bites. It's important to be proactive in your protection from ticks, as the virus can pose serious health implications. Applying tick repellant, wearing light-colored, long clothing, and conducting frequent full-body tick checks are among the few preventative measures you can take. You can also hire a professional to administer tick treatments to your property, which will give you the reassurance that your property will be tick-free.

Important Information About the Deer Tick Virus

Deer Tick Virus (DTV), a type of Powassan virus, is an extremely debilitating virus that's spread to humans by infected tick bites as quickly as 15 minutes after exposure. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protections (DEP), there is an unnerving influx of DTV infection rates in adult ticks that were sampled from Lawrence Township Recreational Park in Clearfield County. Out of the 25 ticks sampled, 23 of them, or 92%, tested positive for the virus. Although it's rare, DTV infection has increased throughout the past few years and has no treatments or vaccines available. Because of this, you must remain vigilant in checking for and preventing tick bites on you and your loved ones.

Initial symptoms of a DTV infection include headache, weakness, vomiting, and a fever.

Take precautions when outdoors to prevent Deer Tick Virus infection.

Mother applying tick repellant spray to child in Lansdale, PA.

You can help protect yourself from getting bit by a deer tick and getting infected with the Deer Tick Virus by taking precautions such as:

  • Applying tick repellant to your clothing - You can help keep ticks off of you and your clothes by regularly applying a tick repellent while outdoors.
  • Wearing light-colored, long clothing - By wearing light-colored clothes, you'll be able to more easily spot any ticks that are on them. You should also wear long clothing and make sure to tuck your shirt into your pants and pants into your socks to limit the amount of exposed skin.
  • Walking in the center of any trails - By walking in the center of trails, you'll reduce the chances of encountering ticks that like to reside in brushy areas with low-growing vegetation and tall grass.
  • Removing clothing and taking a shower once you return home - When you get indoors, take a shower and place your clothing in the dryer on high heat to kill any ticks that may have attached to them.
  • Conducting a full-body tick check - Be sure to check hidden areas of the body, like armpits, belly button, ears, scalp, and between the legs to make sure there are no ticks in those areas.

Professional Tick Treatments Will Keep Ticks Off of Your Property

Flea and tick control signage placed on client's lawn in Telford, PA.

You can never be too safe when it comes to you and your loved ones. With increasing infection rates of Deer Tick Virus, protecting yourself from ticks has never been so important. Professional tick treatments will keep ticks off of your property and give you peace of mind while your kids and pets play in the yard. Tick season in Pennsylvania starts in the spring and lasts through the fall, and professional tick treatments can give you protection for the entire season. Many experts offer programs where they visit your property several times to administer the treatment, ensuring that there's no lapse in coverage and giving you the best possible protection against ticks.

Give us a call today to schedule our tick control treatments!

At Green Grass Lawncare, Inc., we offer professional tick control treatments that will help keep your property free of ticks! Our tick control program includes 6 treatments to keep your property protected throughout tick season. We administer tick treatments to HOA, commercial, and residential properties in Telford, PA and surrounding areas, including Souderton, Harleysville, Quakertown, Perkasie, and Doylestown. Give us a call today at (215) 723-1034 to schedule our tick control treatments!