WHY A POSSUM WRANGLER?
Possums are unique creatures! They are the only marsupial in North America. They have the most teeth of any mammal in North America, a whopping 50! Opossums are virtually immune to rabies. Possums, like cats, love to groom themselves and in a given season, can eat up to 5,000 ticks. Therefore, someone who wrangles possums should have no problem fending off ticks while enjoying the outdoors. All hail the mighty Possum!
WHAT ARE TICKS AND WHY ARE THEY SO BAD?
Ticks are small arachnids; relatives of spiders, scorpions, and mites. They are not insects. To get their main source of food, blood, they climb up on low brush and grass often in wooded areas, reach out and latch onto unsuspecting passersby. Ticks feed over long periods of time, and generally need 24-48 hours of mealtime before successful transmission of pathogens such as Lyme Disease. Upon discovery of an embedded tick expedited removal is recommended. Click here to learn how to Safely Remove A Tick
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WHAT IS LYME DISEASE?
"Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely, Borrelia mayonii. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks. Laboratory testing is helpful if used correctly and performed with validated methods. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. Steps to prevent Lyme disease include using insect repellent, removing ticks promptly, applying pesticides, and reducing tick habitat. The ticks that transmit Lyme disease can occasionally transmit other tickborne diseases as well." - https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/index.html
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