Appearance
These ticks, which are shaped like a flattened oval, can look different depending on whether or not they’re engorged. Normally, they’re reddish-brown and about 1/8 of an inch long. After they’ve fed and grow engorged, though, they become gray-blue and expand to 1/2 an inch in length. Larvae have six legs, but they get more later in life, and nymphs and adults have eight legs. None of them have antennae. Home inspection companies in Atlanta, GA, can help give you more tips on recognizing these pests.
Habitat
Although brown dog ticks can be found all over the country, they’re most common in warmer states. You’re more likely to find them in warm, dry areas of your home, too, especially if you have dogs living there. If you get a general home inspection in Atlanta, GA, you can always ask your inspectors if there have been a lot of ticks seen in your area recently.
Threats
Brown dog ticks are more of a problem for dogs than they are for humans. These ticks like to cling to fur. Of course, they'll bite humans if they can’t get dogs. As for the dogs, they're at risk since ticks may transmit various diseases to them such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, canine ehrlichiosis, or canine babesia. It really is worth the home inspection cost in Atlanta, GA, so that you can put your mind at ease and not worry about your dog getting sick.
Prevention
The best way to prevent a tick infestation is to keep your home as clean and as free of debris as possible, especially the areas where your dogs spend a lot of time. You should treat any places that your dog rests, including furniture upholstery, as well as any cracks or crevices that the ticks might use when sneaking around. When you get a home inspection in Atlanta, GA, your inspector can help you find places where pests might hide so that you can clean up the area and seal them off. You should also make sure your dog keeps up with his vet-recommended dosage of flea and tick medication.
Removal
If you find evidence of brown dog ticks when you conduct a home inspection in Atlanta, GA, then it’s important that you remove these pests as soon as possible. The best way is to hire an exterminator and then keep your home as clean as possible after that. If you find a tick on your dog, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the dog’s skin as possible and pull upward with an even pressure, keeping your hand steady without twisting or jerking it around. After the tick is removed, clean the bite area thoroughly with soap and water. The best way to avoid your dog getting bitten, though, is to be aware of any potential infestations and treat them as quickly as possible, so talk to Inspect All Atlanta about a home inspection today.