How to Keep the Mosquitoes and Ticks Away

What mosquitoes look like in San Juan PR - Rentokil, formerly Oliver ExterminatingMosquitoes and ticks are common pests that San Juan PR residents deal with in the summer. Any time you’re outdoors during the warmer months, you’re at risk of a bite. With mosquitoes taking to the air and hanging by the water and ticks inhabiting the more densely vegetated areas, it seems like we can’t get away from blood-sucking pests.

Both of these pests are also difficult to keep away. There isn’t one step that takes care of both completely. In fact, lasting mosquito and tick prevention takes adherence to routines and mindfulness. Read on for our experts’ best advice on preventing mosquitoes and ticks this summer.

Best Ways to Prevent Mosquitoes

There are many methods of mosquito prevention that work, but using one without the others won’t result in much change. True mosquito prevention takes multiple forms – you should try:

  • Getting rid of standing water: Cover pools and spas when not in use, and clear standing water from gutters, planters, playsets, buckets, or anywhere else it has collected in your yard.
  • Using insect repellent: EPA-approved bug sprays and citronella candles can both work to keep mosquitoes from biting you.
  • Installing mosquito prevention equipment: Mosquito nets and fans can both be used to physically block mosquitoes from coming close to your home.
  • Getting a barrier treatment: Sometimes DIY mosquito control is not enough. Your local pest control company will be able to prevent mosquitoes with long-lasting spray treatments.

How to Avoid Ticks in San Juan PR

Ticks can be a bit trickier to take preventative measures against. Like with mosquitoes, keeping your yard organized and clear of any clutter or overgrown foliage can eliminate places that they can take shelter.

Ticks can latch on to us and go undetected for many hours due to the anesthetic properties of the saliva that they inject into us. This makes it important to check for ticks on yourself or your pets after spending extended periods of time outdoors. Especially when walking your dogs in areas with tall grass or lots of trees, be sure to perform a tick check afterward. If you do find one, make sure to remove it safely.

Professional Pest Control for Mosquitoes and Ticks

If you have been working to avoid ticks and mosquitoes to no avail, it might be time to contact your local extermination company. The experts at Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating, can take care of your specific pest outbreak with unique and exhaustive treatments tailored to your needs. For a free estimate, contact us today!

The Safest Way to Remove Ticks

Tick found in San Juan PR - Rentokil formerly Oliver ExterminatingAs we gear up for another hot summer in Puerto Rico, we have to prepare for an influx of ticks as well. Our warm climate creates a perfect environment for ticks with its comfortable conditions and abundance of animals to feed on. Ticks are known transmitters of lots of serious diseases, including the notorious Lyme disease. Keep reading to learn how to remove ticks as safely as possible and lessen your chances of contracting a vector-borne illness this summer.

Species of Ticks Living in San Juan PR

Fortunately for us, Lyme disease can only be contracted through a deer tick bite, and this kind of tick doesn’t live in Puerto Rico. However, there are two common tick species in our area that are able to spread disease to humans:

  • Lone star tick: These ticks are pale brown in color with round, flat bodies. Female lone star ticks have a white spot on their back and particularly long mouthparts. They like to live in areas with dense vegetation.
  • American dog tick: These are very similar looking to the lone star tick. Both the male and female have white markings along the back, and their color is more of a reddish-brown than a pale brown. Both kinds of ticks measure about 5mm in length.

How to Remove a Tick Safely

If you notice a tick lodged in your skin, it’s best to remove it as soon as you can to lessen the odds of contracting a disease. The CDC has published their advice for safe tick removal – here are their four steps for safely dislodging and disposing of a tick:

  1. Use a thin pair of tweezers to grab the tick, pinching it as close as possible to the skin’s surface.
  2. Pull the tick out of the skin slowly and gently. If the tweezers twist as you pull away, the tick’s mouthparts could break off in your skin. Simply remove the mouthparts from the skin using your tweezers if this happens.
  3. Clean the bite with soap and water or rubbing alcohol after you’ve taken the tick out.
  4. Get rid of the tick by flushing it down the toilet or tossing it in a sealable trash can. Never squish a tick with your fingers.

If you have developed a rash or a fever that you believe to be related to a recent tick bite, consult a medical professional right away.

Professional Tick Control Services

If you’re ready to take the next step towards a tick-free summer, talk to your local pest control company. Here at Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating, our exterminators are well versed in the particular tick issues that plague Puerto Ricans year after year. For a free estimate, contact us today!