A few months ago, we blogged about what can happen when you don’t use flea spray for yards. If you recall, it was pretty grim: pets can lose their hair or get skin infections; family members who handle infected pets can get fevers and rashes; and children who accidentally swallow fleas can experience inflammation or digestive issues.

The story is not that different when it comes to the use of tick spray for yards. When you skip this step in your lawn care routine, you invite in pests that carry disease and quickly multiply. (All it takes is a single tick to cause an infestation.)

Here’s a closer look at how ticks can cause harm once they enter your outdoor space.

The Dangers of Ticks

While tick bites may be painless, the effects on the back end are not. When a tick burrows their head into your skin or that of a pet, the place where they attach can eventually develop rash-like symptoms — the degree of which can range from mild to severe.

That’s not where the symptoms end, though. In some cases, ticks may carry Lyme disease, which is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Left untreated, this infection can trigger arthritis and swelling of joints or inflammation of the brain and spinal cord (among other issues).

Stat to know: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 17,730 reported cases of Lyme disease in 2000. In 2017, that number jumped to 42,743.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is another disease that ticks can carry. While rarer than Lyme disease, RMSF should still remain a point of concern for homeowners. Without proper treatment, early symptoms like headaches, fever and rashes can evolve into kidney failure or serious infections due to the damage the fever causes to your blood vessels.

Stat to know: In 2000, the CDC noted 495 reported cases of RMSF. More than 6,248 cases were reported in 2017.

Keep Your Outdoor Area Safe with Tick Spray for Yards

You’ve probably heard some of the DIY techniques for keeping ticks out of your yard. Vinegar, essential oils and garlic are all touted as ways to naturally repel ticks from your outdoor space.

Aside from the inconvenience and ineffectiveness of these techniques, there is another issue: they are trying to address a tick problem once it already exists.

With tick spray for yards, you can put a barrier up that keeps ticks out in the first place. With no chance for ticks to enter your yard, you don’t have to bother with repellents that often detract from the comfort of your outdoor space and ultimately fail to keep you safe.

Are you an Ohio homeowner who wants to keep their yard tick-free? If so, the tick spray service we offer here at Weed Pro can help you do just that. Call your local provider for details.