Is Lyme Disease In Texas?

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. You’ve probably heard that this disease can be spread by ticks, but is it something you need to be worried about in the Houston area? Unfortunately, yes, Lyme disease, as well as other tick-borne illnesses, can be found in the area according to the Texas Lyme Disease Association, and can be extremely debilitating if not treated properly.

How do you get Lyme disease? The main vector of this disease is through tick bites, or more specifically through the bite of the deer tick, or black-legged tick. Lyme disease can be debilitating, which is why it is so important to avoid coming into contact with ticks in Texas, or anywhere else you may travel. To prevent an encounter with a tick during your summer outdoor activities, we recommend taking these preventative measures:

• Wear long pants and long sleeve shirts while spending time in the woods. Tuck pant legs into your socks and make sure your shirt is tucked into your pants. Ticks are ready and waiting on long blades of grass or hiding in bushes. When given the opportunity, they will drop onto your body as you brush past them. Covering your skin will make it harder for ticks to bite you.
• If you are walking along a trail, stay in the center of the trail and try not to brush against bushes, shrubs and trees.
• If you have dogs and cats, make sure they are routinely treated with tick preventative treatments. These treatments are highly effective at preventing tick issues on your pets. Being proactive in your pet’s treatment can keep your furry friends from contracting Lyme disease, thus protecting you and your family members.
• Use insect repellent when spending time outdoors. DEET at 20 to 30% concentration on your skin and clothing can repel these insects for several hours.
• Keep grass cut short; long grass is a great hiding place for ticks and other Texas pests.

Following these tips should help you avoid a tick bite and also help you prevent coming into contact with Lyme disease. This disease can be avoided, and luckily, our pros know how to get rid of ticks! We want to help you control these pests in your yard so that you can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your property is tick-free.

For more information on how to avoid contracting Lyme disease or any other tick-borne illnesses, contact us about tick control in Houston today!