Ticks: what are they and how to combat them? - briefly
Ticks are parasitic arachnids that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and reptiles, often transmitting diseases like Lyme and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Prevention relies on frequent body inspections, prompt removal with fine‑point tweezers, application of DEET or permethrin repellents, and habitat management to reduce tick populations.
Ticks: what are they and how to combat them? - in detail
Ticks are obligate ectoparasites belonging to the subclass Acari. Their life cycle comprises egg, larva, nymph, and adult stages; each stage, except the egg, requires a blood meal from a vertebrate host. Developmental duration varies with species, temperature, and humidity, ranging from several weeks to multiple years.
These arthropods transmit a range of pathogens, including Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Rickettsia spp. (spotted fever), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (anaplasmosis), and Babesia spp. (babesiosis). Transmission occurs when the tick remains attached for a minimum feeding period, typically 24–48 hours, allowing pathogen migration from the salivary glands into the host.
Preventive actions focus on personal protection and habitat modification:
- Wear light-colored, tightly woven clothing; tuck pants into socks.
- Apply EPA‑registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 to exposed skin.
- Perform full-body tick checks after outdoor activities; inspect hair, armpits, and groin.
- Treat pets with veterinarian‑approved acaricides and conduct regular examinations.
- Maintain lawns by mowing regularly, removing leaf litter, and creating a 3‑foot buffer of wood chips or gravel between wooded areas and recreational zones.
Environmental control measures reduce tick densities in residential settings:
- Apply acaricide sprays or granules to perimeter vegetation, following label directions.
- Introduce entomopathogenic fungi (Metarhizium anisopliae) or nematodes as biological agents.
- Manage wildlife hosts by limiting deer access through fencing or feeding restrictions.
When a tick is discovered attached, removal must be immediate and precise:
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with fine‑point tweezers.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure; avoid twisting or crushing the body.
- Disinfect the bite site with alcohol or iodine.
- Preserve the specimen in a sealed container for laboratory identification if illness develops.
After removal, monitor the bite area for erythema, expanding rash, or flu‑like symptoms. Seek medical evaluation promptly if such signs appear, as early antibiotic therapy can prevent severe disease progression.