Tick Control in the Coachella Valley

You may be on the lookout for ticks while on a hike in the Coachella Valley, but they are not just an outdoor pest. While tick infestations indoors are rare, they are cause for concern – ticks can carry diseases such as Lyme and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. If you see a tick in your home, chances are good that there are many more living outdoors nearby, especially if you have tall grasses or brush nearby.

Ticks are very small, and can be smaller than a sunflower seed, though female ticks can grow up to 10 times larger after feeding. Adult ticks have eight legs. Their hook-like mouthparts can get deeply embedded into their host, and improperly removing the tick can leave this front area trapped inside. Because of the high risk of disease transmission, dealing with ticks immediately is crucial.

Ticks have highly-developed sensory organs and are able to detect a potential host across large distances, and can get to know paths where people or animals often travel. Through a process called “questing,” they lie in wait on tall grass or shrubbery, then grab on when a human or animal passes by.

To help prevent picking up ticks outdoors, wear proper clothing such as tucked in long-sleeved shirts, and pant hems tucked into your socks.