Ticks are active in summer months and can embed themselves in your skin without making their presence known. Of particular concern is the black-legged tick, also called deer tick, which can transmit Lyme disease, said Howard Russell, an entomologist at Michigan State University.
Stay Safe Outdoors
People who spend time outdoors in areas known to be populated by ticks can take extra precautions to stay safe, Russell said in an interview from MSU's campus in East Lansing. In addition to wearing long pants, Russell recommends wrapping duct tape around pant cuffs to keep ticks from crawling up your legs. Insect repellents may also help keep ticks from biting, he said.
Family members and pets should be inspected daily where ticks are known to be abundant, Russell said.
“If an attached tick is found, it should be removed by placing tweezers near the head and gently pulling it off,’’ he said. “Be careful not to squeeze the body of the tick as this can turn the tick into a hypodermic needle and inject the contents of the tick into the bite wound along with any pathogens the tick may be carrying.’’
He also advises people who find a tick attached to their skin to remain calm. “Keep in mind that ticks cannot feed immediately after attaching,’’ Russell said. “They require several hours to imbed their mouthparts deep enough to take a blood meal.’’
Keep Ticks Away
Insecticides have been successful in controlling ticks in the landscape, including products containing Permethrin, Carbaryl and Cyfluthrin.
Natural controls are also available. They include parasitic wasps, birds and a variety of fungi and nematodes, Russell said.
“Unfortunately, none of these organisms have any real success in controlling tick populations to acceptable levels,’’ Russell said. “In fact, some of them are only found in areas where ticks are super abundant.’’
Ticks Can Be Toxic
Two common ticks, the American dog tick and Lone Star tick have some kind of white markings on their backs, Russell said. The black-legged tick does not have white markings on its back.
While American dog ticks may not carry Lyme disease, they are known to transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever. People infected by Rocky Mountain spotted fever develop a fever and feel nauseous about a week after being bitten, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. A few days after the fever begins, people who have Rocky Mountain spotted fever often develop a rash, usually on their arms or ankles.
Symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, fatigue and a rash.
Both Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
John Hogan - John Hogan is a journalist with more than two decades of professional experience covering everything from homicides to hostas. He is ...
