Tick Control & Prevention in St. Louis
Missouri ranks among the top states for tick-borne illness, and the St. Louis metro area sits squarely in prime tick habitat. Roberts Pest Control provides recurring yard treatments that create a protective barrier around your property, dramatically reducing tick populations where your family spends time outdoors.
Why Ticks Are a Growing Concern in Missouri
Tick-borne diseases have increased sharply across Missouri over the past decade. The warm, humid conditions in the St. Louis region support robust tick populations from early spring through late fall. Diseases transmitted by ticks in Missouri include:
- Lyme Disease — transmitted by black-legged (deer) ticks, causing joint pain, fatigue, and neurological complications if untreated
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever — one of the deadliest tick-borne diseases in the U.S., transmitted by the American dog tick
- Ehrlichiosis — especially common in Missouri, transmitted primarily by the Lone Star tick
- Alpha-gal Syndrome — a bite from a Lone Star tick can trigger a lifelong red meat allergy, a condition that is becoming increasingly common in the Midwest
Common Ticks in the St. Louis Area
Lone Star Tick
The most common tick in Missouri. Females are identified by a single white dot on their back. Lone Star ticks are aggressive biters that actively pursue hosts. They transmit ehrlichiosis and are the tick responsible for Alpha-gal syndrome, which causes allergic reactions to red meat. They are found in wooded areas, tall grass, and brushy edges throughout the St. Louis region.
Deer Tick (Black-legged Tick)
The deer tick is the primary vector for Lyme disease in the eastern United States. While historically less common in Missouri than in the Northeast, deer tick populations have been expanding across the state. They are small, often no larger than a sesame seed, making them easy to miss during a body check.
American Dog Tick
One of the larger tick species, the American dog tick is found throughout Missouri in grassy meadows, trails, and along roadsides. It is the primary carrier of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in our region. Adults are most active from April through August.
Brown Dog Tick
Unlike other tick species, the brown dog tick can complete its entire life cycle indoors. It primarily feeds on dogs and is commonly found in kennels, homes with pets, and dog runs. While it rarely bites humans, heavy infestations inside a home can become a serious pest problem.
Our Tick Treatment Program
Roberts Pest Control uses a layered approach to reduce tick populations on your property:
- Yard Perimeter Spray: We apply a residual barrier spray along the edges of your property where lawn meets wooded or brushy areas, the primary zone where ticks wait for hosts.
- Tick Tubes: Cotton-filled tubes treated with permethrin are placed in areas frequented by mice and small rodents. Rodents collect the cotton for nesting material, which kills ticks feeding on them. Since mice are the primary host for immature ticks, this breaks the tick life cycle at its source.
- Targeted Treatment of High-Risk Zones: Tall grass borders, stone walls, wood piles, and shaded wooded edges receive focused treatment since these are the areas ticks concentrate.
- Recurring Seasonal Treatments: A single treatment is not enough. We provide scheduled applications throughout tick season to maintain the protective barrier around your yard.
Prevention Tips for Homeowners
- Keep grass mowed short, especially along fence lines and property edges
- Create a 3-foot gravel or wood chip border between your lawn and any wooded areas
- Treat dogs and cats with veterinarian-recommended tick prevention year-round
- Perform full body checks on family members and pets after any outdoor activity
- Remove leaf litter, brush piles, and tall weeds where ticks harbor
Best Time to Start Treatment
In Missouri, tick season runs from March through November, with peak activity in late spring and early summer. The most effective programs begin in early spring before tick populations explode. However, treatment at any point during the season will significantly reduce the tick population on your property.
Protect Your Yard from Ticks
Recurring treatments that keep your family and pets safe all season.
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