Ticks are nasty creatures that can really pack a punch if they bite you. They are swimming in bacteria and diseases; many that they are known to pass to humans. Right now, is the prime time for ticks to seek out human hosts. Here are the top 10 tick facts you need to know to stay safe.
#1. Ticks Crawl
Ticks can’t fly, they don’t jump, they don’t hitch a ride on the wind – they crawl. That means, if you find a tick on you or your clothes, it likely crawled up from your leg. Ticks prefer to attach to your ears and head area, but they likely crawled up your entire body to get there.
#2. Ticks Come in Different Sizes
Ticks hatch from eggs and go through a three-part life cycle. The larvae stage when they are about the size of sand grains; the nymph stage, when they are about the size of of poppy seeds; and the adult stage, when they are about as large as apple seeds or bigger.
#3. They Don’t Hibernate in The Winter
Not all ticks become dormant in the winter. For example, the adult deer tick is not affected by freezing temperatures and will begin its active stage soon after the first frost. Deer ticks will stay active in cold weather – as long as the ground is not frozen.
#4. Ticks Have Nasty Microbes
Due to longer feeding times and habitat expansion, infections transmitted by ticks have become more common. Both are due to the warmer weather cause by climate change. The diseases ticks carry actually come from microbes in their saliva. Lyme disease, Babesia protozoa, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Bartonella bacteria all come from tick spit that is swimming with microbes.
#5. Only Deer Ticks Can Infect Humans with Lyme Disease
The American dog tick, the other common tick found in New England, does not carry the dreaded Lyme bacteria. Only the deer tick can infect you. Deer ticks also are known as black-legged ticks.
#6. Removing a Tick ASAP is Critical
You have about 24 hours to remove a tick; that’s how long it takes the microbes in its saliva to transmit bacteria. The germs take this amount of time to become present in the tick’s salivary glands, which are then passed to the host during feeding. This means that the much feared Lyme disease takes around 24 hours to be transmitted to the host.
#7. Ticks Love Debris
Even if you think that pile of dead leaves looks harmless, it could be crawling with ticks. They love to hide in debris and wait for a host to pass by. Be sure to keep your yard tidy.
#8. You Can Remove Them Safely
The best way is with a pair of tweezers. Fine tipped ones work best. You’ll want to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Then, pull upward at a steady pace. Make sure the head comes out with the body. Save the tick in a sealed container or bag for identification.
#9. Proper Clothing Can Prevent Bites
An easy way to avoid tick bites and disease is to wear the right clothing. If you’re going out for a hike, cover your feet, legs and arms. Spray your clothes with tick repellent. That’s right, concentrate on treating your clothes with repellent. Ticks wait for a host to brush by them, so your clothes are typically the first thing a tick will come in contact with.
#10. You Can Protect Your Yard
Having your yard treated during tick season is the best way to prevent bites. There are synthetic and organic methods, that are safe for pets and people, that can be used to eliminate the tick population around your house. A professional will also clear debris and advise you on the best way to keep your yard nice and trim for tick season.
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Interested in keeping your family and pets safe from ticks with a tick treatment program? Contact Backyard Defenders for a free quote today!