Tick Bites…They are NO Joke!

Over the past few weeks, a Master Gardener Volunteer and three ANR professionals have been bitten by ticks. In two cases the ticks were attached but for the other two no tick was ever found. Ticks will bite a host to feed on blood and can remain attached for several days, feeding until they are full. They can detach naturally after feeding or can be removed by various means. It is important to seek medical care following a tick bite or suspected tick bite to be tested for diseases like Lyme.  

 

Pictured: Black Legged Tick

Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series , Bugwood.org

  

So, what’s your best defense against tick bites? Prevention is key, don’t get bitten.

 

Pictured: 3 Black Legged Ticks

 

Some ticks will hang out on high grass. Literally ‘Hang Out’.

 

They hold onto the grass blades with their back legs waiting for a host to brush by and then latch on. Ticks rely on a variety of hosts to complete their life cycle, including the white-footed mouse and white-tailed deer, their primary hosts, as well as, rabbits, birds, dogs, cats AND humans.

 

Some tick species prefer grass habitat while others can be found in the woodlands. There are six species of ticks that can be found in various regions of Ohio. One of the most commonly encountered ticks is the black-legged, or deer tick.

 

Pictured: Deer Ticks

Jim Occi, BugPics, Bugwood.org

  

Once a tick finds a host, it attaches and begins feeding on blood. During this process, if the tick is infected, it can transmit a variety of pathogens into the host’s bloodstream. They secrete saliva that contains anticoagulants and immune-modulating compounds to help them feed undetected. Lyme Disease, Alpha-gal, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesiosis, and other pathogens may be transmitted to humans, as well as some animals.

 

So, what steps can help to prevent you from getting bitten?

 

1.) Treat your companion animals (dogs, cats, etc.) with tick and flea prevention. Ticks can be carried into the home and bite you. Don’t skip or stretch doses to save money. Keep a calendar when they were treated last and when the next treatment occurs.   

 

Inspect them for ticks (Jim Occi, BugPics, Bugwood.org), especially on the nose, back, legs and around the neck/collar areas.

                                                                        

2.) Keep grass well maintained. Ticks like high grass. When walking in the woods, stay on the trail or mown path.

 

Don’t bushwack through high grass or brush.

  

3.) Wear long sleeves and pants, preferably light colors to spot ticks easily. Tuck your socks into your pants. Treat your clothing and shoes with Permethrin (this is available in a spray can in most big box and hardware stores). You can also buy Permethrin treated clothing through outfitters like L.L. Bean or REI.

 

This is not to spray on your skin!

 

4.) Spray your skin with EPA-approved tick repellent (at least 25% DEET). Always follow label instructions, especially for children.

 

5.) Check yourself or have a loved one check you for ticks. Pay special attention to elastic waistbands, belt lines and ankles. They tend to prefer hidden areas such as behind your ears, underarms, groin and behind your knees. When checking for ticks remember that immature ticks can be tiny, from the size of a poppy seed to a sesame seed.

 

Pictured: Black Legged (Deer) Tick (magnified under a microscope)

  

6.) If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it immediately. Slowly remove by grasping the tick as close to your skin as possible using tweezers or a tick removal tool. Avoid twisting or jerking motions to prevent the mouthparts from breaking off in your skin.

 

Pictured: Engorged tick after feeding on a host

 

You can find a tick removal tools at feed stores, hardware, and farm supply stores or online:

 

This tick spoon is used to safely remove attached ticks and it works great!

 

7.) Send the tick to be identified by species to Buckeye Tick Test. Form can be found here: https://buckeyeticktest.osu.edu/

  

Results: Image 1 – Image 2

 

8.) Make an appointment with your doctor to be tested for blood borne illness. Typically, an antibiotic will be prescribed.

 

9.) Keep tick aware when out in the woods. Light colored clothing makes it easier to see a tick crawling on your pant leg.

 

10.) Not all bites will show symptoms of the telltale "bullseye" that you may often see online or in photos.

 

Below is a tick id card.

 

Tick ID Card 1 – Tick ID Card 2

 

These cards can be ordered at the following link:  https://extensionpubs.osu.edu/tick-id-card-set-of-25/?searchid=0&search_query=tick+id+cards

 

Ticks are 'BIG' news. Last month in the Ohio Department of Agriculture Animal Health Newsletter for July lead with the article Ticks in Ohio:  https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/OHDOA/bulletins/3e67398

 

Additional information regarding ticks in Ohio can be found at:  https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-2073

 

A great video was created by Dr. Tim McDermott:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXHI_A5JPPA

 

Be Tick Aware. Tick Bites are NO Joke!