Utah’s climate makes a perfect home for ticks and is known to harbor various species. One particular species is the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick. As many know, summer is tick season and now is the time to be on the lookout and to be more cautious when visiting the great outdoors. Rentokil will share more about the Rocky Mountain wood tick and how to protect yourself this summer.

Rocky Mountain Wood Tick Bites & Diseases

The Rocky Mountain wood tick is found throughout several different states including Utah, as stated. This species of tick is often found in shrubs, grasslands, and lightly wooded areas. The adult Rocky Mountain wood tick primarily feeds on larger mammals while the nymphs and larva will feed on smaller animals such as rodents. Once a Rocky Mountain wood tick reaches adulthood they are able to spread deadly pathogens. These pathogens, such as spotted fever and tularemia, can, unfortunately, be transmitted to humans. The Rocky Mountain wood tick becomes active in January and will remain active until the end of November with late spring and the entire summer season being the height of their activity.

How Do Ticks Transmit Diseases?

Once a Rocky Mountain wood tick reaches adulthood they can survive up to 600 days in between feedings. Male ticks feed for a short period of time, unlike the female who will feed on a single host for up to 17 days. After laying her eggs, she will finally drop off. A single female can lay up to 6000 eggs on a host. However, during any stage of a Rocky Mountain Wood ticks development, they are able to transmit various diseases such as Colorado tick fever that affects humans. Rocky Mountain spotted fever can affect humans, dogs, and cats. The diseases or pathogens are contained inside the tick’s saliva, including a neurotoxin that can cause tick paralysis in both humans and pets. Tularemia can also be transmitted by the Rocky Mountain Wood tick which is why ticks are such a major concern.

Tick Repellent & Prevention

To help protect you and your pets from any kind of tick, make sure when going outdoors to wear long-sleeved clothing and boots with the socks pulled up over the pant legs. Make sure you wear tick repellent and thoroughly spray your legs and arms. Make sure your pets have current tick repellent collars and it doesn’t hurt to give them a quick spray down as well. If you have a pet that comes in and outside a lot, inspect them for ticks often and quickly remove any ticks found. Additionally, make sure you keep your lawn cut short to prevent a suitable living environment for ticks. Along with maintaining a clean and manicured lawn and yard, you can keep ticks out by having the perimeter clear of all vegetation. Ticks don’t like traveling unless it’s through vegetation. For further tick prevention, consider contacting a professional pest control service.

Tick Control

If you need help protecting your home and pets from disease-carrying pests as well as dangerous or destructive pests, then contact Rentokil. We can provide quality pest control and lawn care service for both commercial and residential property. Contact Rentokil today!