How Dangerous Are Ticks?
Summer is right around the corner, which means we are right in the middle of tick season. And when it comes to dangerous pests, ticks are often overlooked. However, these little creatures can transmit some serious diseases and cause a lot of harm. This blog post will discuss the most important things that you need to know in order to answer the question, “how dangerous are ticks?”
What are Ticks?
When you ask the question of how dangerous are ticks, the first thing you have to do is understand what they are. Ticks are small arachnids that are closely related to spiders and mites. They are parasites that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Ticks go through four stages in their life cycle: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. And depending on the species of tick, they can live for months or even years without food.
Ticks are most often found in wooded or grassy areas where they can attach themselves to animals or people that brush past them. Once a tick finds a host, it will burrow its head into the skin and begin feeding. And if you have ever had a tick bite, you know how painful it can be.
Things You Should Know About Ticks
Now that you know a little more about what a tick looks like, the next step in answering your question of how dangerous are ticks is by learning more about the behaviors of ticks and how they can impact your health.
Ticks are most active during the spring and summer months, but they can be active when the temperature is below freezing—bringing us to our first point that ticks can be active during winter!
Ticks Can be Active During Winter
When most people think about the question of how dangerous are ticks, they automatically think of the hot summer months. But the truth is that ticks can be active all year long, even when it’s cold outside. Some tick species are more active in the winter than in the summer.
All Tick Species Come in Small, Medium, and Large Sizes
When trying to answer how dangerous are ticks, another essential fact to consider is that all tick species come in three different sizes: small, medium, and large. The size of the tick does not necessarily indicate how dangerous it is. However, the larger the tick, the more blood it can take in and potentially transmit diseases.
Ticks Crawl Up
One of the most common myths about ticks is that they fall from trees and attach themselves to people or animals that walk by. However, this is not true. Ticks actually crawl up onto their hosts. So, if you are walking through a wooded area, be sure to check yourself for ticks when you get home.
Deer Tick Nymphs look Like Poppy Seeds on Your Skin
When ticks are in their nymph stage, they are tiny and can be challenging to see. Deer tick nymphs look like poppy seeds on your skin. This makes it even more important to do a full-body check for ticks when you come home from being outside.
Clothing With Built-in Tick Repellent is the Best Prevention
When it comes to preventing tick bites, the best thing you can do is wear clothing that has been treated with built-in tick repellent. This will help to keep ticks off of your body and make it less likely for them to bite you.
So Just How Dangerous Are Ticks?
So now, let’s get into why you are really here to answer the question, how dangerous are ticks? As we mentioned before, ticks can transmit a number of serious diseases.
Ticks Carry Disease-Causing Microbes in Their Gut
Tick-transmitted diseases are more common now than ever. This is partly because of the increase in deer populations in the eastern and western United States. Ticks that feed on deer can pick up disease-causing microbes in their gut and then transmit those to people when they bite them.
Only Deer Ticks Transmit Lyme Disease
One of the most common tick-transmitted diseases is Lyme disease. However, it is essential to note that only deer ticks can transmit this disease. So, if a deer tick bites you, be sure to see a doctor as soon as possible and get started on antibiotics.
Ticks Can Transmit More Than One Disease at a Time
Another critical fact to consider when answering the question of how dangerous are ticks is that they can transmit more than one disease at a time. So, if a tick bites you, you could be at risk for more than just Lyme disease. Some other diseases you should be aware of include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis.
Ticks are something to be aware of, especially if you live in an area where they are prevalent. However, by taking some simple precautions, you can help to reduce your risk of being bitten by a tick.
For Most Tick-Borne Diseases, You Have at Least 24 Hours to Find and Remove it Before an Infection is Transmitted
One of the most important things to remember when it comes to tick-borne diseases is that you usually have at least 24 hours before an infection is transmitted. So, if you find a tick on your body, be sure to remove it as soon as possible. The longer a tick is attached to your body, the greater the risk of contracting a disease.
The Easiest (and Safest) Way to Remove a Tick is With Pointy Tweezers
If you find a tick on your body, the easiest (and safest) way to remove it is with pointy tweezers. Just grab the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight out. Once the tick is removed, wash the area well with soap and water.
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Tick-Borne Diseases are 100% Preventable
The good news is that tick-borne diseases are 100% preventable. So, if you take some simple precautions and be aware of your surroundings, you can help to protect yourself from these dangerous pests.
The Bottom Line: Just How Dangerous are Ticks?
So, how dangerous are ticks? Ticks can be dangerous because they can transmit several serious diseases. However, you can help to reduce your risk of being bitten by a tick by taking some simple precautions. If you find a tick on your body, be sure to remove it as soon as possible. And, if you live in an area where ticks are prevalent, be sure to see a doctor as soon as possible if you develop any symptoms of a tick-borne disease. Our team at Sigma Pest Control is here to help you with all of your pest control needs! Contact us today for more information about our pest control packages.
