Ticks are blood feeding parasites of birds, mammals, and reptiles. Ticks cling to their host using an anchor located just below the mouth. Pulling on an attached tick is likely to sever the body from the head which could cause an infection. Tabasco sauce placed on the head of a tick is a good way to make the tick loosen it's grip.

Colorado Tick Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease are all diseases transmitted by ticks. Lyme Disease symptoms mimic the flu but if left untreated can lead to long term health problems. Lyme Disease is often transmitted by the deer tick. If you have been bitten by a tick and feel ill, see your doctor immediately.

NON CHEMICAL CONTROL

• Clean up the area around the house. Ticks thrive in tall grass and brush.

• If you have walked in a tick infested area, bathe immediately and remove any attached ticks.

TICK CONTROL

• Spray the yard, shrubs, trees and house outside to a height of 3 feet with Permethrin. Repeat in 2 weeks and then respray every 30 days.

• If the ticks have gotten inside use Suspend or Flea Killer Plus foggers.

• Treat the dog with Petcor flea and tick spray or a Pyrethrum-Rotenone flea dip.