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Alternative EarthCare Discloses 4 Blacklegged Tick Facts that East End Long Islanders Should Know


Alternative EarthCare has been providing quality residential and commercial services across Long Island, New York since 1996. Specializing in mosquito, flea, and Hampton’s  tick control service, traditional lawn services (including aeration and seeding), irrigation system services, tree removal and pruning, and Christmas and holiday light installation, the team of professionals successfully caters to your needs in the least toxic, most organic way possible.

If you think that you can put the thoughts of tick bites aside until spring, you were mistaken. The Lyme disease-spreading Blacklegged tick, also known as the Deer tick, is active in winter, even after frost. Residents should continue to treat properties to minimize populations now and minimize the populations next year as well. Alternative EarthCare discloses four Blacklegged tick facts that Long Islanders should know.

 

  1. Blacklegged ticks are active in the winter Adult Blacklegged ticks, otherwise known as Deer ticks, become active after the first frost. Whereas many tick species are killed by freezing temperatures, the Blacklegged tick is much more resilient. These parasitic ticks will often hitch a ride on a deer or other mammal and get carried throughout properties, often dropping off in high traffic areas such as near walkways. House-pets frequently bring the deer tick into the house as well. It is important to be on the lookout for ticks on people and pets after time spent outdoors, even in the winter months.
  2. Blacklegged ticks are the most common transmitters of Lyme disease While several species of ticks transmit Lyme disease, it is most often transmitted by the Blacklegged tick. Lyme disease can have long-lasting effects on people as well as pets.
  3. Blacklegged ticks should never be crushed upon removal Fluids within the tick’s body can be released if the tick is crushed during removal. These fluids could potentially cause further contamination to those who have been bitten. Always remove ticks carefully with tweezers or forceps, with special care to remove the tick in its entirety, including the mouth-parts which will likely be embedded in the skin. Place the tweezers as close to the skin as possible to ensure the best chance of removal without any pieces remaining in the skin.
  4. Blacklegged ticks make it difficult to detect attachment and to remove them Blacklegged ticks can be difficult to detect for two primary reasons. Firstly, they are very small, approximately half the size of a brown dog tick, making detection difficult at times. The Blacklegged tick also secretes small traces of saliva which has anesthetic properties that make it difficult to feel that a tick has attached itself. It’s important to check your body for possible attachment after any potential exposure.

Serving both Suffolk and Nassau County, including the East End and the Hamptons, Alternative EarthCare offers a variety of organic, non-toxic lawn care services for your home or business. In addition to beautifying and maintaining properties, the award-winning staff is also dedicated to the safety and health of their customers.