The Ultimate Guide to Ticks | St. Petersburg, FL

Summertime in St. Petersburg, FL means picnics in the park, days spent at the beach, and outdoor concerts. But it also means being on the lookout for pesky critters like ticks. Ticks are small parasitic creatures that feed on the blood of their hosts, which can include humans. Ticks can cause a number of problems for their human hosts, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and most commonly known, Lyme disease. If you’re living in the St. Petersburg area, below is some helpful information about ticks to help protect yourself form these bugs.

How to Identify a Tick

Ticks are small, dark brown or black insects that range in size from a poppy seed to a sesame seed. They have eight legs and a hard shell. Ticks can be found in different parts of the world, but they’re most commonly found in the Eastern United States. Ticks attach themselves to their hosts by burrowing their mouths into the skin.

How Long Can Ticks Live in a House?

Ticks can live in your house for a long time if they have access to food and water. Ticks typically feed on blood, so they are often found near areas where their host sleeps or rests. Ticks can also survive for long periods of time without food or water, sometimes up to eight months. This means that it’s imperative to be vigilant about checking for these bugs in your St. Petersburg home, especially if you have pets that can bring them indoors.

What Kills Ticks in the House?

The best way to kill ticks in your home is to vacuum them up. Vacuuming is an effective way to remove ticks from your floors, carpets, and furniture. You can also use a handheld steamer to kill ticks on contact. Be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag or empty the steamer after each use to prevent the ticks from coming back.

What Time of Day are Ticks Most Active?

Ticks are typically more active during the daytime, but they can also be active at night. Ticks are most active during the warmer months of the year, so living in St. Petersburg, they are a constant threat.

Do Ticks Come Out in the Rain?

Ticks do not like direct contact with water and will usually avoid it. However, they can survive in wet conditions for a short period of time. If it is raining, ticks will often seek shelter in tall grasses or under trees to stay dry.

What Temperature do Ticks Become Inactive?

Ticks are inactive at temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they can become active again when the temperature rises above this point. As St. Petersburg, FL residents, we know that the temperatures rarely get below 45 degrees, making ticks active pretty much year round.

What do I do if I See Ticks?

If you see ticks on your property, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them. First, mow your lawn regularly to keep the grass short. This will make it harder for ticks to hide and make it easier for you to spot them in your yard. You should also remove any dead leaves or brush from your property as these can also provide hiding places for ticks. Finally, for any ticks that are present, you can use a spray to kill them.

If you find a tick on your body, use a pair of tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight out. Do not twist or jerk the tick as this can cause the body to break off and remain in the skin. Once the tick is removed, clean the area with soap and water or an antiseptic. You should then dispose of the tick by placing it in a sealed bag or container.

Get Professional Help

Are you located in the St. Petersburg area? Don’t deal with ticks year-round. Instead, check out Anti-Pesto’s pest control services in St. Petersburg or contact us today. We offer effective pest control services to our fellow Floridians.