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St Paul, MN
Ticks
Dog Tick
(photo by Joe Fierst)
Black Legged (deer) tick
Bulls eye rash from deer tick infected with Lyme disease.
Ticks are commonly thought of as insects, but they are actually arachnids, as are spiders and mites. All members of this group have eight legs as an adult, with no antennae.
The Deer Tick is our primary concern as it transmits Lyme disease. Since 2001, Minnesota has experienced an 88% increase in Lyme disease cases. Health officials believe that 75% of Lyme disease cases originated on the person's property. The CDC recognizes Lyme disease as the most frequently reported vector-borne illness in the United States.
Symptoms of Lyme disease can include what looks like a "bulls eye" rash, this may appear in 3-30 days after being infected by a deer tick. Other symptoms are; headache, fever, chills, fatigue, muscle and joint pain. Early symptoms are easily treatable. If left untreated, these early symptoms usually disappear. More serious symptoms appear later such as; arthritis, brain impairment, irregular heart beat and persistent fatigue.
Deer ticks can also spread human granulocytic anaplasmosis and babesiosis. These diseases often involve high fever, chills, headache, muscle ache and typically has no rash.
The deer tick habitat is in brush and woods. Ticks do not drop from trees, fly or jump. They cling to brush or vegetation, with legs extended, waiting for a person or animal to move past. Then they latch on with their claws and start crawling upward. The larvae and nymphs feed on small animals; birds, mice and squirrels. As adults they prefer to feed on larger hosts, such as pets and humans.
Peak season for tick exposure is May through August. To minimize contact, it is best to treat for control now.
Tips for Removing A Tick:
- Prompt removal from the body minimizes exposure. It generally takes between 36 - 48 hours for a tick to infect.
- Use tweezers, grasp tick around head or mouth parts and pull up slowly and steadily to remove tick intact
- Do not twist or jerk- head of tick can detach from body
- Disinfect and clean wound area
- Seek medical attention immediately if you believe you have any Lyme disease symptoms
