When ticks feed, they take up whole blood, extract the water (about 70–75% volume) and inject the water back into the host. For this reason, they are efficient vectors of a variety of disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, spirochetes, rickettsia, protozoa, viruses, nematodes, and toxins. A single tick bite can transmit multiple pathogens as well as creating secondary infections and allergic reactions. Ticks are the most common transmitters of vector-borne disease in the U.S.

Regularly inspect pets for ticks. Remove any ticks from the pet with forceps or eyebrow tweezers. Apply gentle pressure slowly to allow the tick to loosen its mouthparts. Do not use an irritant such as alcohol or nail varnish. Afterwards wash with soap and water and apply a dry dressing over the wound. Frequently mow your grass short. Remove leaf litter, brush and woodpiles around houses and at the edges of yards. Clearing trees and brush to admit more sunlight into the yard reduces the amount of suitable habitat for deer, rodents, and ticks. When hiking, avoid tall grass and shrubs, wear white or light-colored clothing (makes hitchhiking ticks are more visible) and tuck pant legs into socks. Occasionally some repellent lotions can also be used. Routinely check you pets for ticks and remove them immediately.

After following the steps above, the trick is to find the source! Most often ticks will be found where your pet’s bed down. Or, they can be found where you see other critters hanging out like rabbits and squirrels. It’s at these locations where your treatment should be concentrated! Using your Scatter DIY kit apply a fine spray lightly covering those harborage areas. Pay special attention to vertical cracks and crevices. This is where ticks like to hide! Please follow label instruction included on the concentrate bottle found in your Scatter kit!