Tips for tick control services

The threat of the deer tick (Ixodes spp.) has grown along with their hosts of choice. Photo: istock.com/Goldfinch4ever

We asked Pest Management Professional’s columnists and editorial advisory board members to give tips for tick control services. Here are some of the experts’ responses from our September 2022 print edition.

Please take a minute to answer our latest one-question poll on this topic and let us know how you promote disinfecting and sanitizing services: Reader poll: What advice do you give customers when providing tick control services?

PMP’s Editorial Advisory Board and Regular Contributors

Greg Baumann

Greg Baumann:“Keep vigilant year-round. A first frost isn’t going to make it suddenly stop, and we’ve seen tick activity in cold weather.”

Judy Black, BCE: “Don’t encourage wildlife to frequent your property. For example, bird feeders can attract more than birds. I also would reassure customers they have made a great choice to protect their property from ticks. The disease potential and consequences are real.”

Jerry Schappert, ACE: “The American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) is the most common tick we encounter, and they tend to stay close to the host. Keeping a keen eye on pet bedding, as well as using a vacuum, helps tremendously.”

Pete Schopen: “Keep your landscape trimmed back.”

Michael Broder: “Make sure to save any ticks you remove from your body in case your doctor needs to test them for potential diseases.”

Paul Hardy

Paul Hardy: “Ticks start outside, unless they are carried inside as hitchhikers. They are there basically because of wildlife. So, the best solution is to contact your wildlife professional for assistance. Wildlife is not standard pest control; it requires different licensing and education.”

Dr. Faith Oi: “Keep pets clean-cut during the summer and conduct regular tick checks on them, even indoor-only pets. It’s not uncommon for a human to bring them into the home, and when they fall off a shoe or clothing, they end up on the cat.”

Desiree Staubinger, BCE: “Keep pets clean-cut during the summer and conduct regular tick checks on them, even indoor-only pets. It’s not uncommon for a human to bring them into the home, and when they fall off a shoe or clothing, they end up on the cat.”