Ticks can be very dangerous
WHAT IS A TICK?
Did you know that ticks are not insects, as many think, but arachnids, more precisely spiders? If you look closely at a tick when you identify it, it somewhat resembles a spider with four pairs of legs, only they lack antennae. Ticks are like vampires, they love blood and dislike the sun. They have no wings, cannot fly or jump. In our text about ticks, you will learn much more about their habits, characteristics, where they hide, and how they behave.
LYME DISEASE
Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Infection in humans occurs through the bite of ticks that are carriers of this bacterium.
According to data available to epidemiologists – 30 - 40% of ticks in the territory of Belgrade are infected with Borrelia. An infected tick will generally not transmit Borrelia and infect a person if it is properly removed within 36 hours of the bite. In our separate text about Lyme disease, read about all the prejudices and myths of Lyme disease, what the symptoms are, and how it is treated and detected.
How to protect yourself from ticks?
WHERE DO TICKS HIDE?
Ticks most often reside at the top of tall grasses where they wait for animals to pass by. They hide on the ground, grass, bushes, under piles of leaves, in the wild, or in lush greenery where there is no sun and where it is moist. They also climb into the crowns of trees, but less frequently. In areas created by humans, they lay eggs under stones, piles of rubble, buckets, tires, firewood, barrels, holes covered with leaves, burrows of rodents and other animals, holes dug by pets or stray dogs, and in public areas.
PROTECTION FROM TICKS
For a safe stay in nature, we should take some preventive measures, which are:
- Education
- Avoid tick habitats - tall grass, lush greenery of parks, meadows, forests
- Mark areas where ticks have been detected
- Wear darker clothing that covers arms and legs. Light clothing attracts ticks
- Use protective products for people and animals, primarily repellents for human protection, as well as sprays, powders, and shampoos for pet protection
- After being in nature, thoroughly check clothing and body for ticks (especially the groin area, abdomen, under the knees, breasts, underarms, on the back, and for children, the hairy part of the head)
- Keep in mind that a tick can be brought in on clothing and pets
How to get rid of ticks in the yard?
To get rid of ticks in your yard or garden, we recommend following these:
- Fence your yard or garden, or separate it from external vegetation (with stones, for example), so that ticks cannot enter your space at all. You can sprinkle baking soda along the edges of the garden or yard
- Clean your yard of unnecessary vegetation, bushes, wilted plants, dead leaves, and mowed grass
- Pay more attention to parts of the yard where there is no sun, as ticks do not like the sun
- Mow the grass regularly
- Isolate or keep firewood elevated. Piled wood can be a paradise for ticks because it is dark and can retain moisture for a long time. Also, check everything you have made of wood, such as benches or birdcages.
- Use chemical agents, to which ticks are very sensitive.
As mentioned earlier, chemical treatments, or treatments with various insecticides, are sometimes the only right and effective solution. Icon 10CS is a product from one of the largest agricultural companies in the world, Syngenta, Switzerland. For years, it has been known as a top product when it comes to controlling insects, especially ticks in open areas. Before you start treating your yard, we recommend mowing the grass. After the treatment is completed, it is essential that the treated area dries completely, and after that, your children and pets can safely and worry-free enjoy.
