Pest Alert: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is transmitted in the United States by one of three varieties of ticks. Two of the ticks are known as dog ticks and are: the American dog tick and the brown dog tick. The third variety of tick is the Rocky mountain wood tick. The fever can occur anywhere in the United States.

Symptoms include but are not limited to: fever, headache, abdominal pain, and vomiting and muscle pain. There may also be a rash, but not always. The fever can be severe or fatal if not treated during the first few days of symptoms. The treatment if started within the first five days of the symptoms is very effective.

The importance of careful inspection of children cannot be understated; it takes around 20 hours for the bacteria from a tick to be transmitted to a person. Symptoms from a tick bite usually will appear from 2 to 14 days after the bite.

There are many additional symptoms that may occur in infected people. Around 2/3’s of the people bitten will develop a rash usually around the wrists and ankles.

Once a tick is found on a person it is important that the tick be removed from the skin very carefully. If the symptoms of a bite do occur it is imperative that a health care provider be contacted. The consequences of not going to a health care provider are far too great to ignore, especially for children. Contact us for help on getting ticks off of your property.

Mark Leahy is the President of Blades of Green lawn Care and Pest Control, a family owned lawn care and pest control company. Mark has concentrated his efforts in Central Maryland as well as Maryland's Eastern Shore. Mark has over 20 years experience in the Lawn and Pest Control Industries.

As a member of PlANET, the Chesapeake Club, NPMA, Pest World, the Turf Grass Council and Quality Pro; Mark is well qualified in the lawn care and pest control industries. Certified by the State of Maryland; Mark can advise all Marylanders' in the areas of lawn care and pest control. Mark can be reached: Mark@bladesofgreen.com, 410.867.8873 or on the web site: Bladesofgreen.com

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