Our top-of-the-line biting insect control has eliminated mosquitoes and ticks from yards just like yours since 1896. With our integrated approach, we won't just kill mosquitoes and ticks; we'll prevent them from returning! Don't live in discomfort for another day—call the professional mosquito exterminators at Ransford Pest Control for targeted service, and get back to enjoying the outside in no time!
Targeted Mosquito and Tick Service in Central Massachusetts
Central and Eastern Massachusetts is home to 51 Mosquito species and 3 different species of ticks! The good news is not every species actively feeds on humans or our pets! Unfortunately, that is about all the good news for mosquitoes or ticks. Depending on the season, weather conditions, flooding, or proximity to wetlands, different mosquito species can be present at different times. Some species only feed at night, while some feed during the daytime. At the same time, the tick population is fairly consistent and normally influenced solely by temperature and vegetation. Whether you have mosquitoes, ticks, or both, no matter what biting insects you're dealing with, you can count on Ransford Pest Control's comprehensive mosquito service to get to the source of the problem and stop the infestation immediately!
Protect Your Family from Mosquito Borne Viruses
With all the news stories on Zika, West Nile, and Triple E, understandably, people are nervous. While it still needs to be proven that our species of mosquitoes can transmit Zika, it has been proven that West Nile and Triple E are transmittable in MA. Don't forget your pets and have them checked for Heartworm, which is a very serious mosquito-borne disease. Something you can do to reduce the number of mosquitoes on your property is to eliminate standing water (clogged rain gutters, old tires, birdbaths, etc). Remember that another bloodsucker, the Tick, can transmit Lyme disease that affects both humans and our pets.
Bi-annual Deer Tick Control
Deer Ticks have a two-year life cycle, during which time they pass through three stages: larva, nymph, and adult. The tick must take a blood meal at each stage before maturing to the next. Ticks are active year-round; they live under the leaf litter under the snow and feed on mice and other small animals. It is usually the nymphs that people find in the springtime.
That's why, in addition to our granular tick treatment in the Spring, we also offer a liquid treatment in the fall. In the fall, deer tick, females latch onto a host and drink its blood for four to five days. After it is engorged, the tick drops off and overwinters in the leaf litter of the forest floor. The following spring, the female lays several hundred to a few thousand eggs in clusters.
Dog Ticks
If you are seeing ticks inside your home, there is a good chance that you’re seeing dog ticks. These are less common than deer ticks in Massachusetts, and require a different type of treatment, which is done inside the home. Dog ticks are typically seen around ped beds, as they rarely venture far from their host animal.
Dangers of Tick-Borne Diseases
Unfortunately, ticks can spread at least 10 different types of diseases in humans. These can include Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Babeiois. The type of illness you can receive from a tick depends on its species and what type of bacteria or pathogen it might carry.
Lyme disease is also a huge concern with ticks. It can be a very serious disease that doctors find difficult to diagnose. Without a diagnosis and correct treatment, symptoms can be hard to get under control.
Symptoms are easily confused with other illnesses and usually begin with flu-like fever, aches, pains, and chills. Also, most people who have been bitten by a tick and develop Lyme disease have a bullseye-looking rash around the bite area, although this is not true in all people. As many as 9 out of 10 cases of Lyme disease may go unreported, so be sure to see your doctor right away if you think you have a tick bite.
Do Ticks Live in Wood Piles?
Yes, some ticks do live in wood piles. Ticks love areas such as decomposing leaves, or piles of wood where rodents are also often found. If you want to keep ticks away from your yard, limit the number of dark areas subject to moisture.
How Do We Control Ticks?
Tick control is a multipoint process at Ransford. Here are some of the steps:
- To treat the larvae and the nymphs in the Spring, Ransford will use a granular product applied over the leaf litter and around your home.
- Once wet the granules will soak into the leaf litter killing any ticks it comes in contact with.
Ransford has both green products and regular insecticides for use on ticks and would be happy to discuss both products.
How to Keep Ticks Out of Your Yard
Even if you don’t think your yard can play host to ticks, you’re better off being safe than sorry. Here are a few tips that can help.
- Keep the lawn mowed and clear away leaves – The shorter your grass is, the less likely it is that you will have a tick problem. Keeping the grass short and eliminating yard waste or leaf piles means you won’t have to deal with tick problems.
- Gravel path – If you have a path on your property, don’t hesitate to put down gravel. The ticks are less likely to cross it, keeping your yard tick free.
- Be careful with your wood pile – If your wood pile is a mess, you’re creating an invitation for ticks. Neatly stack your wood, and make certain the spot where you keep it gets sun on a regular basis.
Don’t let ticks prevent you from enjoying your yard. If you do notice an up-’tick’ on your property, contact Ransford immediately.
Looking Mosquito and Tick Control Near You?
Ransford Pest Control is proud to provide tick and mosquito control services throughout Masschusetts. If you're looking to spend time outdoors without worries of nuisance pests, we're here for you! Here are some of the areas we provide mosquito and tick control services:
