Who should you call when ticks are discovered? - briefly
If you find ticks on a person or pet, contact your primary care physician or the local health department for guidance on safe removal and disease assessment. If severe symptoms such as fever or rash develop, seek emergency medical care without delay.
Who should you call when ticks are discovered? - in detail
When a tick is found attached to a person or animal, the first point of contact should be a qualified health professional. Call your primary care physician or a pediatrician for children; they can assess the risk of disease transmission, advise on safe removal techniques, and determine whether prophylactic treatment is needed. If the physician is unavailable, contact an urgent‑care clinic or a local emergency department, especially if the tick is engorged, the bite area shows signs of infection, or symptoms such as fever, rash, or joint pain develop.
For pets, reach out to a licensed veterinarian. Veterinarians can identify the tick species, recommend appropriate acaricide treatments, and prescribe medications to prevent tick‑borne illnesses in animals.
If you need assistance with identification or control of ticks in the environment, contact a licensed pest‑management company. These professionals can inspect the property, implement targeted acaricide applications, and provide guidance on habitat modification to reduce tick populations.
State or county health departments often maintain hotlines for vector‑borne disease inquiries. They can supply up‑to‑date information on local tick activity, disease prevalence, and public‑health recommendations.
Summary of contacts:
- Personal or family medical provider (physician, urgent‑care, emergency department)
- Pediatrician for children
- Veterinarian for companion animals
- Licensed pest‑control service for home and yard treatment
- Local health department or vector‑borne disease hotline for regional guidance
Prompt communication with the appropriate authority minimizes the risk of complications and ensures proper management of tick exposure.