Tick Talk

American Dog Ticks, commonly found throughout Virginia, are dangerous- carrying potential fatal diseases. It's important to keep them off your family and pets, and out of your yard. Keep reading to learn how.

American Dog Ticks, sometimes called Wood Ticks, have been danger to humans and animals alike for a long time. They can carry and transmit several different diseases. American Dog Ticks are found all over the state of Virginia. Even though many people think ticks can only be found in wild, wooded areas, they actually thrive in developed areas with many hosts, such as people and pets.

What Do American Dog Ticks Look Like?

Why Are American Dog Ticks Dangerous?

How Can You Protect Yourself From American Dog Ticks?

---

What Do American Dog Ticks Look Like?

American Dog Ticks (ADT) are small, only about 1/4 of an inch. They do swell after eating, sometimes up to more than a half inch. They are brown with tan or whitish markings and they are shaped like a flat oval. The nymphs have six legs, but grow into 8-legged arachnids as adults.

ADT that have attached to feed have been described as looking like brown watermelon seeds because the heads are not very visible. They don't bury themselves into skin, but after they attach their mouth pieces under the skin, the area may swell up around the head.

American Dog Ticks are named that simply because they are found in North America and commonly found on domestic dogs. They can be found in all types of areas, not just in wild, forested spaces. Ticks can thrive where they find an abundance of hosts, including suburban and urban areas. ADT do, however, want to stay outdoors and will not do well inside. Ticks will feed on three hosts during their lifecycle, ranging from small rodents to large livestock. ADT can live for years, depending on the availability of a host. Females can lay as many as 6,500 eggs before dying.

Why Are American Dog Ticks Dangerous?

American Dog Ticks are carriers of three main diseases:

• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). This disease will cause high fevers, headaches, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and chills. Commonly, RMSF will be accompanied by a rash that spreads across the extremities that starts a few days after the other symptoms begin. While RMSF can be treated with antibiotics, if left untreated, it can lead to long-term health problems, such as hearing loss, mental disabilities, nerve damage, paralysis, the need for amputation of extremities, and even death.

• Tularemia. Humans can become infected through direct ADT bite, or from skin contact with infected animals. The disease will cause high fevers, ulcers, swollen lymph glands, eye inflammation, sore throat, cough, chest pain, and trouble breathing. Tularemia can range in severity from mild to life-threatening.

• Tick Paralysis. This condition will cause weakness in the arms and legs which progresses to the point of paralysis. If left untreated, the person will not be able to speak or breathe and the condition can become fatal.

It's important to note that animals can also contract these diseases from tick bites as well. Their symptoms will include fever, weakness, lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite, stiff joints, wobbliness and other neurological signs.

*If you suspect a tick bite for you or for your pet, be sure to mention this to the doctor or veterinarian if symptoms present. Knowing which kind of tick it is can also be helpful for diagnosis.

How Can You Protect Yourself From American Dog Ticks?

ADT are most active from early Spring into Autumn, so be extra vigilant during these months. Ticks like longer grasses and will transfer from the vegetation onto people and animals that are passing by, even on paved sidewalks. In fact, ticks are attracted to the scent of animals, so are actually commonly found along roadways and trails.

Inspect your pets and yourself if you are in areas where ticks may be present and make sure to check your clothing before going inside. Insect repellant and long-sleeve shirts and pants can be especially helpful if you are going to be in areas where ticks are likely. Make sure to inspect and wash clothes, and shower after returning from these areas. If your pets regularly spend time outdoors, check them daily. Veterinarian-approved preventatives are a good idea for your four-legged loved ones.

Keep your grass well-trimmed and garden and property tidy. If you see ticks in places such as garden pots or flower beds, it may be an indication of an infestation. Take action immediately.

Maintaining a preventative pest control barrier around your home all year, as well as getting regular pest control treatments for your yard from early spring until late fall will help keep your property safe. Just make sure that the professional company uses products that will eliminate ticks.

Give us a call today! We are passionate about helping you protect your loved ones and furry friends from unwanted pests. Ticks are dangerous and we want to help keep your living spaces safe!

For more information on Virginia pests, check out our other blog posts and our pest library