Tick Control & Prevention

Tick Species in St. Louis

Lone Star Tick

The most common tick in the St. Louis area. Identified by a single white dot on the female’s back. Extremely aggressive biters that will actively pursue hosts. They are vectors for ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and Alpha-gal syndrome — a condition that causes a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction to red meat.

American Dog Tick

Large, brown tick with white or gray markings. Found in grassy areas and along trails. The primary vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Missouri. Most active in spring and summer.

Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick)

Smaller than other common ticks, reddish-brown with dark legs. The vector for Lyme disease. Historically uncommon in the St. Louis area, but the range is expanding southward and confirmed cases in Missouri are increasing.

Tick-Borne Diseases

Missouri is one of the worst states in the country for tick-borne illness. Diseases transmitted by ticks in the St. Louis area include:

• Lyme Disease — Transmitted by blacklegged ticks. Causes fever, fatigue, and a characteristic bullseye rash. If untreated, can lead to joint, heart, and nervous system complications.
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever — Transmitted by American dog ticks. Can be fatal if not treated promptly with antibiotics. Symptoms include fever, headache, and rash.
• Ehrlichiosis — Transmitted by lone star ticks. Causes fever, headache, and muscle aches. Can be severe in immunocompromised individuals.
• Alpha-Gal Syndrome — Triggered by lone star tick bites. Causes a delayed allergic reaction to red meat (beef, pork, lamb) that can range from hives to anaphylaxis. Cases in Missouri are increasing.
• Tularemia — Transmitted by lone star and dog ticks. Causes fever, skin ulcers, and swollen lymph nodes.

How Roberts Controls Ticks

Broadcast Treatment

Roberts treats ticks with a professional-grade broadcast treatment — a broad-spectrum insecticide applied as a broadcast spray to the entire lawn, vegetation borders, and transitional zones where yard meets woods or brush. This is the critical zone where tick populations concentrate, waiting on grass blades and low vegetation for a host to pass by.

Perimeter Spray

Targeted perimeter application along fence lines, tree lines, and property edges where ticks migrate from surrounding wooded areas into your yard.

Habitat Modification

We identify high-risk areas on your property and recommend changes to make your yard less tick-friendly — including mowing recommendations, brush removal, and buffer zones between lawn and wooded borders.

Treatment Timing

Tick activity in Missouri begins as early as March and peaks from April through September. We recommend starting yard treatments in early spring and repeating every 4-6 weeks through the active season for continuous protection.

Prevention Tips

• Tick checks — Check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks after outdoor activity. Pay special attention to hair, behind ears, along the waistline, and between toes.
• Proper clothing — Wear light-colored clothing so ticks are visible. Tuck pants into socks when walking through tall grass or wooded areas.
• Yard maintenance — Keep your lawn mowed short. Create a 3-foot buffer zone of gravel or wood chips between your lawn and wooded borders. Remove leaf litter, brush piles, and tall weeds.
• Pet protection — Treat pets with veterinarian-recommended tick prevention products year-round.
• Reduce wildlife — Deer, rabbits, and rodents are primary tick hosts. Fencing and habitat modification can reduce wildlife traffic through your yard.