The state of Massachusetts is home to a beautiful array of wildlife and natural beauty. Unfortunately, this is also the perfect environment for the deer ticks that are known to spread Lyme disease.
How Do Ticks Spread Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease bacteria is spread through the bite of infected ticks. The blacklegged tick spreads the disease in many areas located in northeastern and mid parts of the United States. These ticks are much smaller than dog ticks and are often found in woody, grassy places. They can also travel to lawns on the bodies of pets or wildlife.
Why Are These Ticks Often Undetected?
As stated before, these ticks are extremely small. They also have complex life cycles. Most people infected with Lyme disease are bitten by a nymph rather than an adult tick. These nymphs are less than two millimeters long, roughly the size of a pinhead, and are nearly impossible to detect in your average “tick check”. Children and adults could easily overlook these tiny dangerous creatures.
What Are The Typical Symptoms of Lyme Disease?
The early stage of Lyme disease is usually marked by one or more of the following signs or symptoms:
- A rash on the skin, called erythema migrans which often looks like rings
- Fatigue
- Chills and fever
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
Some signs and symptoms of Lyme disease are dormant and may not appear until months after the original tick bite, they include:
- Arthritis – which is most likely to appear as brief bouts of pain and swelling, usually in one or more large joints, especially the knees.
- Damage to the nervous system can include pain, facial nerve paralysis, and meningitis.
- Rarely, irregularities of the heart rhythm may occur.
- Problems with memory or concentration, fatigue, headache, and sleep disturbances sometimes persist after treatment.
Lyme Disease Can Have Serious Consequences for Pregnant Women
Pregnant women who contract Lyme disease are in danger of having an infected placenta which could lead to a still birth and other heartbreaking consequences for the unborn child.
Treatments for Lyme disease
Currently, there is no vaccine for Lyme disease. Antibiotic treatments can have varied results, depending on how far the disease has progressed. In some cases, Lyme disease can lead to permanent joint and nervous system damage.
Lyme Disease Can Also Be Harmful to Pets
Domestic animals can also be affected by Lyme disease. In some cases, these animals may develop arthritis and other joint issues.
What is The Best Way to Prevent Lyme Disease?
The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to never be bitten by the infected ticks who carry the disease, in the first place. However, these insects are tiny and nearly impossible to detect. They also have complex life cycles and many people are bitten by the younger, smaller ticks called nymphs. These ticks love grassy areas and are often carried in by domestic animals.
The proper type of backyard treatment is one of the most effective methods for getting rid of these types of pests. A true lawn care professional understands the inherent dangers of these creatures and will formulate a program that kills them in every stage of life. This tick treatment will also be ongoing, so it will prevent newer ticks popping up weeks later.
Contact Backyard Defenders today and protect your family from these dangerous creatures!