Ticks in Massachusetts Don't Discriminate

Story time: Like many kids, my son's favorite thing to do is play outside after school, especially now that it stays light out later into the evening; and like many parents, I'm more than happy to see him in his element with his friends (and voluntarily stepping away from screen time). That said, I consider myself pretty well aware of some of the threats that come along with spending time outdoors, from allergies and injuries, to poison ivy and bug bites - After all, I grew up in New England, and I've been writing blogs and guidebooks about bugs and bite prevention for years.

The other night, during bedtime routine after a regular outdoor session in the neighborhood, I spotted a dark fleck of something on my son's shoulder. It almost could have been a small birth mark, except he doesn't have one. Upon closer examination, it was precisely what I suspected - a tiny deer tick latched right near his collarbone (actual photo, right).

Now, my son knows plenty about pest control and "bugs" in general, but he was understandably a little freaked out as he's never been bitten by a tick before. Moments later, the offending arachnid was completely removed and he was fascinated by it.

All this to say, no one is invulnerable to ticks - not even the children of pest control professionals - so let's take this opportunity to talk about where to check for ticks and how to safely remove them.

Where to Check for Ticks

After spending time outdoors, perform a thorough body check for ticks. Ticks gravitate toward warm, moist, and/or hidden areas of the body.

• Hairline
• Behind ears
• Back of neck
• Armpits
• Waistline
• Groin
• Back of knees
• Around ankles and between toes

Be sure to check pets that were outside with you as well.

Safe Tick Removal

If you find that you have been bitten, safely removing the tick as soon as possible can reduce your risk of contracting a tick-borne illness like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, or Powassan virus.

1. Gently pull any hair away from the bite site. Using pointy tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the head as possible.
2.  Pull the tick straight out until the head is removed. Do not twist or wiggle.
3.  Dispose of the tick in the toilet or wrapped in tissue in a closed trash bin. Clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
4.  Monitor yourself for symptoms such as rash, fever, headache, joint pain, or fatigue. Contact your doctor if you suspect you have contracted a tick-borne disease.

Take it from your friendly pest control blogger, ticks do not discriminate; sometimes, we can take every precaution and still wind up being a tick's next meal. Knowing where to check for ticks, how to safely remove them if you are bitten, and what symptoms to watch for can make all the difference.

For added protection in your yard, enroll in a tick and mosquito control plan with Burgess Pest. Our team of experts is standing by to put a stop to what's bugging you this season.