MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(
BUSINESS WIRE)--Terminix, a leading provider of termite and pest control services and a ServiceMaster (NYSE: SERV) company, today announced its launch of the Terminix Tick Defend System™, an integrated pest management system that helps protect yards and homes from tick infestations. The launch comes in partnership with Genevieve Gorder (
Trading Spaces), the acclaimed celebrity designer who lives with Lyme disease. In recognition of Lyme Disease Awareness Month in May, Terminix will donate 10 percent of proceeds from its new Tick Defend System™ during the months of May, June and July to the Global Lyme Alliance to help raise awareness of the tick-borne illness and how to guard against it. Available now, the Terminix Tick Defend System™ combines leading technology with technician expertise to help guard against all seven common tick species found across the country. The new service offering builds on the company’s strong track record of providing differentiated value to its customer base. The treatment is available as a one-time service, or as a monthly package for long-term protection. Customers are also able to combine the system with other Terminix pest and mosquito services, such as the Terminix Quick Guard
® Mosquito Service, for the ultimate home defense against annoying and dangerous pests. “We are committed to providing cleaner, healthier and safer environments to our customers. We fully understand our customers’ concerns about keeping their families protected from ticks and the diseases they can carry,” said Matthew Stevenson, president of Terminix Residential. “We have seen tick-borne disease cases increase and have strengthened our efforts to bring effective solutions to our customers. As a leader in the termite and pest industry, we are proud to partner with Genevieve Gorder and bring the Terminix Tick Defend System™ to market to provide peace of mind and offer our customers a new and innovative line of defense against these dangerous pests.” “I know firsthand how devastating the impacts of Lyme disease can be,” said Genevieve Gorder. “I’m excited to be working with Terminix on the launch of their Tick Defend System™ which underscores the importance of tick protection while supporting the critical education and research made possible by Global Lyme Alliance.” The partnership and product launch come as incidence rates for Lyme disease continue to rise. In the past two decades, the reported number of Lyme disease cases in the United States has tripled. Reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest the disease is more common than reported, infecting approximately 300,000 Americans nationally
each year. Victims often mistake early-stage Lyme disease as a flu-like illness, overexertion or sleep deprivation. Late-stage Lyme disease can affect multiple organs, including joints, heart, brain, and other parts of the central nervous system. About 75 percent of Lyme disease cases are associated with activities around the home such as play, yard or garden work. In addition to preventative products, such as the Terminix Tick Defend System™, follow these tips to help guard against ticks:
- Avoid areas with tall grass or leaf litter, as these are common places for ticks to hide. When hiking, stick to the center of trails to avoid brushing against vegetation.
- Apply EPA-approved tick repellents, both on-skin and on-clothing.
- After spending time outdoors, bathe as soon as possible (preferably within two hours) to wash off any ticks crawling on the skin and conduct a full-body check for ticks, paying close attention to the head, hair, in and around the ears, under the arms and behind the knees. If you’ve been bitten, remove ticks right away.
- To remove a tick embedded in the skin, do not grasp it by the abdomen and pull. You may squeeze its fluids into the skin, increasing the chance for infection. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the head of the tick and slowly pull backwards. Once the tick has been removed, cleanse the area well with soap and water.
- Because pets, such as dogs or cats, are particularly susceptible to ticks, talk with your veterinarian about appropriate tick prevention products.
