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Life Cycle Information of a Tick

 

Over the years folklore has played a big role in defining what we believe to be factual when discussing fleas and ticks. It is important when discussing either of these two pests to understand exactly how each of these parasites is a threat to us and our pets.

 

Let’s start by discussing ticks. Contrary to popular belief, ticks don’t jump or flap around in the breeze till they find a host. They are however tiny spider like creatures that exhibit a tremendous amount of patience waiting for the right prey.

 

The stages of a tick’s life are: egg, larva, nymph and then adult. So to survive they will have to eat 4 times engorging themselves for up to 8 days or more. During this time they will increase their weight by up to 100 times their original weight. They continue to do so until they are full.

 

 

Remember their purpose in life is continuing the species. Eating is naturally an important role in their lifespan and this is where they acquire diseases. They feed on one host and then deliver it to the next. That’s why Tick Control is so important.

 

They actually have quite an interesting sensory organ called Haller’s organ that can determine small quantities of carbon dioxide, heat and other stimuli. They are then capable of finding areas well traveled by humans and animals so they can select where to go for a host and ultimately to feed.

 

Once they locate the potential source of food, they crawl high into the grass, wait for the host to walk by then attach themselves to enjoy their feast. In the mouths of a tick are harpoon like barbs which allow them to “hang on” to their host. Ticks also produce a type of glue to help their mouths stay in place while they eat. You see, ticks need to have a “blood” meal during each part of their life cycle.

 

Once a female tick has mated and eaten, they will leave the host. They go to the ground to lay their eggs. Some species lay about 100 eggs while others can lay up to 6000. Once completed the female will die. The male goes thru its normal life cycle and will die after it mates.

 

Once eggs are laid they take about 14 days to hatch. The life cycle starts all over again. Some live for up to two months, others can live for up to two years, It depends on what type of tick it is. (Back to the List)

 

Species of Ticks

 

The number of different species of ticks range up into the hundreds. Even so there are actually very few species of ticks that pose a threat to humans or pets. If the tick happens to be from an area where tick diseases are common it can be assumed that an infection would exist if it where found on your body.

 

Regardless of the type of tick they are considered to fall into one of two general but important categories. Some are selective meaning they feed only on a certain type of host. This tends to keep infectious diseases within that group.

 

Others are ticks of opportunity, meaning they feed on whatever host is available. This type of tick is the one that causes the real concern because it will move a disease from one type of group to another. This is called zoonosis. (The capability of a disease of being transmitted from a non-human to a human.) Lyme disease is the most common known of these infections.

 

The Ixodes group contains the largest number of ticks carrying infectious diseases. Unfortunately it’s quite difficult even for an expert to determine the type of tick that may have been found on a host. It will depend on two things. The first is the geographic location of where the tick was found. The second relies on a specific characteristic to each tick. It is a “shield” located just behind the ticks mouthparts.

 

Because ticks are usually found after a period of feeding their engorged bodies alone are difficult to identify. The shield however always stays the same size and in the same location, right behind the mouth. This allows identification of the tick with a high amount of certainty.

Size and color of ticks can also help to identify it. Remember if you have a tick knowing the species and how long it was attached all help determine the ultimate risk of infection to the host. A black tick around the size of an pencil top eraser  is probably a “dog tick” and not believed to carry Lyme Disease. A brown tick (aka: Black Legged Deer Tick) the size of a pen point is usually known to carry Lyme Disease Northeast, Southeast and Midwest areas of the country. A brown tick with a blotch of white on it’s back (aka: Lone Star Tick) can carry Lyme Disease but is more known to carry STARI (southern tick-associated rash illness). (Back to the List)

 

Now What – I Found a Tick on Me…

 

• Getting rid of the tick as quickly as possible is the best defense in preventing infection. Lyme disease transmission takes up to 36-48 hours of feeding after the tick becomes attached to the host.
• The organism responsible for Lyme Disease sits dormant in the ticks gut. The hot blood that it ingest reactivates it. As it feeds, the tick needs to get rid of any excessive water. It does so by salivating into the punctured area. This is how the infection ultimately gets passed to the host.

Don’t squeeze the tick, especially with your fingers. If it has eaten and blood is squeezed from it, the infection can enter even the smallest pore of your skin. Use a pair of needle nose tweezers. Grab the tick close to the skin near it’s mouth. Pull, don’t tug the tick straight out. They have a strong grip so you will need to pull gently but firmly.

 

 

                                                                              

 

                                                                            

 

 

 

 

• Don't put Vaseline, alcohol, repellent or anything else on the tick. Don’t try and burn it off with a cigarette either. It could cause the tick to eject the fluids back into the skin.
• Once it’s removed, save the tick and preserve it in a little rubbing alcohol in a small jar or a used pill bottle. Remember, having the tick can assess the likelihood of getting Lyme Disease.
• Where did you get the tick? This also helps to assess the possibility of infection.
• Using soap and water or rubbing alcohol you need to scrub the bite site.

 

Top of Form

 

Lyme disease patients who are diagnosed early, and receive proper antibiotic treatment, usually recover rapidly and completely.  A key component is recognizing Lyme disease rash. This rash often manifests itself in a "bull's-eye" appearance, and is observed in about 80 percent of Lyme disease patients. (Photo and Caption Courtesy of the CDC)

 

There are approximately 16,000 cases a year of Lyme Disease. About 300-400 people a year are stricken with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Knowing what to do and what not to do, can help prevent unnecessary infection. Make sure to contact your local health department if you think you may be infected and practice good Flea and Tick Control. (Back to the List)

 

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Size and color of ticks can also help to identify it. Remember if you have a tick knowing the species and how long it was attached all help determine the ultimate risk of infection to the host.

 

A black tick around the size of an pencil top eraser  is probably a “dog tick” and not believed to carry Lyme Disease. A brown tick (aka: Black Legged Deer Tick) the size of a pen point is usually known to carry Lyme Disease Northeast, Southeast and Midwest areas of the country. A brown tick with a blotch of white on it’s back (aka: Lone Star Tick) can carry Lyme Disease but is more known to carry STARI (southern tick-associated rash illness). (Back to the List)

 

Now What – I Found a Tick on Me…

 

• Getting rid of the tick as quickly as possible is the best defense in preventing infection. Lyme disease transmission takes up to 36-48 hours of feeding after the tick becomes attached to the host.
• The organism responsible for Lyme Disease sits dormant in the ticks gut. The hot blood that it ingest reactivates it. As it feeds, the tick needs to get rid of any excessive water. It does so by salivating into the punctured area. This is how the infection ultimately gets passed to the host.
• Don’t squeeze the tick, especially with your fingers. If it has eaten and blood is squeezed from it, the infection can enter even the smallest pore of your skin. Use a pair of needle nose tweezers. Grab the tick close to the skin near it’s mouth. Pull, don’t tug the tick straight out. They have a strong grip so you will need to pull gently but firmly.

 

 

• Don't put Vaseline, alcohol, repellent or anything else on the tick. Don’t try and burn it off with a cigarette either. It could cause the tick to eject the fluids back into the skin.
• Once it’s removed, save the tick and preserve it in a little rubbing alcohol in a small jar or a used pill bottle. Remember, having the tick can assess the likelihood of getting Lyme Disease.
• Where did you get the tick? This also helps to assess the possibility of infection.
• Using soap and water or rubbing alcohol you need to scrub the bite site.

Contact us at admin@fleaandtickcontrol-shop.com