List of articles № 167

What skin reaction should be expected after a tick bite?

After a tick attachment, the skin around the bite commonly develops a small area of erythema accompanied by mild edema. The reaction typically appears within a few hours and may persist for several days. The redness is usually well‑defined, pink to reddish‑purple, and the swelling is limited to the immediate periphery of the puncture site.. Date latest changes:

What does a dream about bedbugs mean for women?

Dreams in which a woman encounters bedbugs often signal distressing emotional states. The presence of these insects suggests feelings of contamination, loss of personal boundaries, and heightened vulnerability. Such imagery typically reflects subconscious anxieties about health, hygiene, or bodily integrity, prompting the dreamer to confront perceived threats to her well‑being.. Date latest changes:

Can tick‑borne encephalitis be cured?

The tick‑borne encephalitis (TBE) virus belongs to the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae. It possesses a single‑stranded RNA genome of approximately 11 kb, encodes three structural proteins (C, prM/M, E) and seven non‑structural proteins (NS1‑NS5).. Date latest changes:

How to properly comb out lice: technique and tips?

Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are obligate ectoparasites that live on the human scalp and feed on blood several times a day. Adult insects measure 2–4 mm, have a flattened, wingless body, and are tan to grayish in color. Nymphs, which hatch from eggs (nits), are smaller but otherwise identical in appearance.. Date latest changes:

What causes black fleas to appear in a private house?

Black fleas often resemble other small arthropods, yet accurate identification determines the appropriate remediation strategy. Size: adult fleas measure 1–3 mm, smaller than most beetles and larger than dust mites. Color: true fleas exhibit a uniform dark brown to black exoskeleton;. Date latest changes:

How to get rid of basement fleas in a private house?

Understanding the flea life cycle is essential for eliminating infestations in residential basements. Egg: deposited on host or in the environment, hatch within 2‑5 days under warm, humid conditions. Larva: feed on organic debris, develop through three instars over 5‑11 days.. Date latest changes:

How long after applying flea drops do fleas die?

Active flea treatments rely on a limited set of chemical classes that target the nervous system of adult fleas, larvae, and eggs. The most common ingredients include: Imidacloprid – a neonicotinoid that binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, causing paralysis and death within 30–60 minutes after contact.. Date latest changes:

What should be done after treating an apartment for bedbugs?

After a bed‑bug eradication procedure, the first action is to create a thorough airflow throughout the living space. Open every window and exterior door. Keep them open for at least several hours, preferably overnight, to allow residual chemicals and volatile compounds to disperse.. Date latest changes:

Which tick collar is best for small breed dogs?

When choosing a tick‑prevention band for a diminutive canine, the animal’s cutaneous tolerance must be a primary consideration. Small‑breed dogs often possess thinner epidermis and a higher surface‑to‑body‑mass ratio, which increases exposure to irritants embedded in the collar material.. Date latest changes:

Why do bedbugs appear in a sofa and how can you get rid of them?

Bed bugs are small, flat insects measuring 4–5 mm in length, resembling apple seeds. Their bodies are reddish‑brown, becoming paler after feeding. Six legs end in tiny claws that enable movement across fabric and upholstery. Nymphs, which hatch from eggs, are translucent and increase in size and color with each blood meal.. Date latest changes:

What is the best fast-acting flea treatment for the house?

Effective rapid flea control indoors must target all life stages, especially eggs and larvae, because these stages constitute the majority of the population in a newly infested home. Eggs are microscopic, deposited on the host or in the environment, and hatch within 2–5 days under favorable humidity and temperature.. Date latest changes:

Can water be used to disperse dust for bed bug control?

Desiccant dusts such as diatomaceous earth act by abrading the waxy cuticle of insects, leading to rapid dehydration. The particles must remain dry to retain sharp edges and maintain low cohesion; moisture fills inter‑particle spaces, causing clumping and reducing the surface area that contacts the insect exoskeleton.. Date latest changes:

How can lice be removed from a child's head with long hair?

Lice infestations in children with long hair typically present with a distinct set of signs. The most frequent indication is persistent itching on the scalp, caused by the insect’s saliva. Children often report a crawling or tickling feeling that intensifies after a few days of exposure.. Date latest changes:

How quickly does encephalitis develop after a tick bite: timeline and symptoms?

Encephalitis denotes inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often caused by viral infection, but also by bacteria, parasites, autoimmune mechanisms, or post‑infectious processes. The inflammatory response leads to neuronal injury, cerebral edema, and disruption of normal neurological function.. Date latest changes:

How to get rid of spider mite on cucumbers in open ground during fruiting?

Spider mites are tiny arachnids belonging to the family Tetranychidae. Adult females measure 0.3–0.5 mm, are oval, and display a reddish‑brown or pale green coloration. Males are smaller and often translucent. They lack wings and move rapidly across leaf surfaces, leaving silk webbing that can be observed as a fine mesh.. Date latest changes:

In which forests are ticks absent?

Ticks require a minimum temperature of about 5 °C for development and a relative humidity above 80 % to avoid desiccation. Forests that consistently fall below these thresholds or that experience prolonged dryness do not support viable tick populations.. Date latest changes:

What should you do if you find a tick?

Ticks encountered by people vary in appearance, habitat, and disease risk. Recognizing the most frequently encountered species guides appropriate removal techniques and informs the need for medical evaluation. Deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) – Northeastern and Upper Midwest United States;. Date latest changes:

How to remove lice from long hair?

Long hair complicates lice eradication because its length and volume create conditions that hinder detection, treatment penetration, and thorough removal. Each factor contributes to a higher likelihood of residual infestation and prolongs the remedial process.. Date latest changes:

What do flea eggs look like on a dog?

Flea eggs are tiny, oval structures measuring approximately 0.5 mm in length and 0.2 mm in width. Their shells are smooth, translucent to off‑white, and lack pigmentation, making them difficult to distinguish against a dog’s fur or skin. When a female flea drops an egg, it often lands on the animal’s coat, especially in areas with dense hair such as the neck, back, and tail base.. Date latest changes:

What happens if a tick goes unnoticed?

Ticks measure only a few millimeters when unfed and often embed themselves in skin folds, hairlines, or clothing seams. Their diminutive dimensions and preference for concealed micro‑habitats make visual identification difficult during routine activities.. Date latest changes:

What does a tick do while sucking blood?

Ticks locate potential hosts through a combination of sensory mechanisms that operate before blood extraction begins. Detection of carbon dioxide gradients, body heat, and host‑derived odorants guides the arthropod toward a suitable organism.. Date latest changes:

Is dichlorvos effective against ticks?

Ticks that frequently bite humans and domestic animals include several species whose biology determines how an organophosphate such as dichlorvos can affect them. Understanding the distribution, host preferences, and developmental cycles of these ticks is essential for evaluating chemical control options.. Date latest changes:

Will steam treatment help against bedbugs?

Bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) undergo a hemimetabolous development consisting of an egg, five nymphal instars, and the adult stage. Each molt requires a blood meal; without feeding, progression halts. Eggs are laid in clusters, concealed in cracks, and hatch in 6–10 days at 22–25 °C.. Date latest changes:

Which tick species are dangerous to humans?

Ticks that pose a health risk to people progress through four distinct stages. Each stage requires a blood meal and can transmit disease agents, although the likelihood varies among species. Egg – Laid by fertilized females on the ground, eggs hatch into unfed larvae after several weeks, depending on temperature and humidity.. Date latest changes:

Why does the head itch when lice are present?

Lice infestations provoke scalp irritation because the insects feed on blood and inject saliva that triggers an allergic reaction. Understanding the parasite’s development clarifies why symptoms appear rapidly after colonization. Egg (nit) :. Date latest changes:

What do domestic bedbugs feed on in an apartment?

Domestic bedbugs subsist almost exclusively on the blood of warm‑blooded hosts that share their living space. Human blood represents the optimal source for several physiological and ecological reasons. First, human skin temperature (33–35 °C) closely matches the thermal range that stimulates bedbug feeding behavior, ensuring rapid activation of the proboscis and efficient blood uptake.. Date latest changes:

Should you choose flea drops or a flea collar?

Identifying flea activity is the first step in deciding between topical treatments and a collar. Accurate observation prevents unnecessary medication and guides effective control. Typical indicators include: Small, dark specks on the animal’s skin, often found near the base of the tail, abdomen, or neck.. Date latest changes:

Which flea shampoo is most effective?

Effective flea shampoos rely on a limited set of active compounds that target the parasite’s nervous system, disrupt its exoskeleton, or prevent reproduction. The most common categories include: - Pyrethrins and synthetic pyrethroids such as permethrin – rapid knock‑down of adult fleas through nerve‑channel interference.. Date latest changes:

When does erythema appear after a tick bite?

Tick bites often produce a recognizable set of clinical signs that appear within minutes to several days after attachment. The most common manifestations include: A small, painless puncture wound at the attachment site. Redness surrounding the bite, which may develop within 12–48 hours and can enlarge to form a target‑shaped lesion.. Date latest changes:

What should you do if a tick is infected with Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted primarily through the bite of infected Ixodes ticks. The pathogen responsible is Borrelia burgdorferi , a spirochete that circulates in wildlife reservoirs, especially rodents, and spreads to humans when ticks attach for several hours.. Date latest changes:

What does a dream about fleas on oneself mean for a woman?

Dreams featuring fleas on a woman’s body often signal persistent, low‑level stressors that interfere with daily comfort. Fleas are tiny, quick to bite, and difficult to eradicate, making them an apt metaphor for minor irritations that nonetheless demand attention.. Date latest changes:

What will happen if a pregnant woman is bitten by a tick?

When a pregnant individual discovers a tick attached, immediate, proper removal reduces the risk of transmitting pathogens that could affect both mother and fetus. The procedure must be sterile, swift, and gentle to avoid tearing the mouthparts, which can increase infection probability.. Date latest changes:

Can bedbugs live in a wardrobe with clothing?

Bedbugs are capable of occupying a closet that stores clothing, especially when garments provide shelter and a source of blood meals. Their presence depends on environmental conditions and the availability of hosts. Size: adult insects measure 4–5 mm in length, roughly the size of an apple seed.. Date latest changes:

How do ticks become infected with encephalitis and borreliosis?

Ticks progress through four distinct stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Each stage, except the egg, requires a blood meal to advance. After laying, eggs hatch into six-legged larvae that seek a small vertebrate host, such as a rodent or bird.. Date latest changes:

What to do when lice are found: action plan?

Understanding the development pattern of head‑lice informs every step of an effective response. The parasite progresses through three distinct phases, each with specific time frames and vulnerabilities. Egg (nit): firmly attached to hair shafts, oval, translucent.. Date latest changes:

How can fleas be prevented from biting humans?

Fleas are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of mammals and birds. Identifying the species most likely to encounter humans is essential for effective bite prevention, because control measures differ among flea types. Cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) – primary host:. Date latest changes:

Chicken fleas: how to get rid of them in a coop?

The flea that infests poultry, commonly known as the sticktight flea, follows a four‑stage development cycle that occurs largely within the coop environment. Understanding each phase is essential for effective eradication. Egg – Female fleas lay up to 200 eggs on the bird’s feathers or in the coop’s litter.. Date latest changes:

At what age can a kitten be treated for fleas?

Flea infestations can produce significant blood loss in kittens, leading to anemia. The tiny insects feed repeatedly, and a heavy burden may remove enough erythrocytes to depress hemoglobin levels, especially in animals under three months of age.. Date latest changes:

If bedbugs keep biting after treatment, what should I do?

Continuing bites after a pesticide application usually mean that some insects or their eggs survived the initial effort. Adult bed bugs can hide in cracks, seams, or behind furniture, while newly hatched nymphs emerge from eggs that were not exposed to the chemicals.. Date latest changes:

How to choose the best flea and tick collar for dogs?

Flea‑and‑tick collars protect dogs by releasing active chemicals that interfere with the life cycle of parasites. The collar contains a reservoir of insecticide or repellent, usually a synthetic pyrethroid such as imidacloprid, permethrin, or a combination of ingredients.. Date latest changes: