It’s the middle of the summer and outdoor activities are thriving, from backyard barbeques in Franklin to weekend camping trips in Percy Warner Park. But ticks and mosquitos are prominent little pests in Middle Tennessee and can range from a small, itchy bump to a serious illness. Though Lyme disease is not as prevalent in Tennessee as West Nile Virus, it’s important to take special precautions in order to understand the risks and how you can protect you and your family.
A few facts about ticks and Lyme disease
- Over 25,000 people develop Lyme disease every year.
- Blacklegged ticks live in moist and humid areas.
- Symptoms of Lyme disease include rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes and more.
A few facts about mosquitos and West Nile Virus
- According to the Metro Public Health Department and the Tennessean, the West Nile Virus has been confirmed in mosquitos in Bellevue, North Nashville, East Nashville and Goodlettsville.
- Seventy to eighty percent of people who get infected with the virus do not develop symptoms.
- There are over 170 species of mosquitos.
How can you protect you and your family?
- Perform checkups to make sure there are no ticks or untreated bites on the body. (Be sure to check your pet too!)
- Use repellent with 20 percent or more DEET before spending time outdoors.
- Know when and where the insects thrive, how to avoid them and stay alert for signs of illness.
How can the Parke Company help?
- Fallen trees are great opportunities for possible wet areas to host mosquitos. The Parke Company will remove any fallen tree from your property to avoid nests that could potentially carry disease.
- Limbs and brush in backyards are eyesores, but they also are hotbeds for ticks, that might be carrying Lyme disease. Clean up your yard and have the Parke Company come remove the excess limbs and deadwood from your property.
- Ticks thrive in wooded and shrubby areas. If your yard needs a facelift, contact the Parke Company for landscape consultations to trim up your property and create “tick-safe zones.”
For more information about the Parke Company and their services for the Nashville, Tennessee area, call (615) 405-6548.