There are horror stories everywhere of life-long, tick-spread diseases. Are those the same diseases carried by ticks in Virginia?
In Virginia, we have sixteen different varieties of ticks. Because we're talking about tick-spread illness, we're just going to focus this article on the three species of ticks that most commonly bite Virginians and a few of the diseases they spread.
As a reminder, if you have a tick bite, being able to identify (or sending it to the Virginia Department of Health for identification) can help diagnose and treat your disease. Tick-borne diseases can be deadly and early identification and treatment can save your life!
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
This disease affects both humans and dogs and is carried by the American Dog Tick. These ticks are found throughout Virginia. They have what looks like a white shield on their back and are otherwise a dark brown color. They prefer to be in sunny, open places, such as fields and overgrown trails, and tend to be most active from early spring into mid-summer. American Dog Ticks can also spread other diseases, such as Rickettsia parkeri and Tularemia.
Early symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can include headaches and fevers, and can progress quickly into a life-threatening and serious disease. You can develop rashes, vomiting, stomach pain, and other symptoms.
Lyme Disease
Blacklegged Ticks, more commonly called the "Deer Tick", spread Lyme Disease. Male blacklegged ticks are brown or black and females have a black upper half with a reddish-brown lower (pictured above). These ticks look a lot like a watermelon seed with legs. They are most active in the fall, early spring, and warm winter days. They don't tolerate heat very well, so they generally prefer to live in the mountains. However, they also favor Virginia's suburban forested areas (like many areas in and around Richmond) and even inhabit the coastal regions where the water cools the air.
The early symptoms of Lyme disease can encompass fever, headaches, sore muscles, chills, and fatigue. In most cases, a rash will occur at the tick bite site and begin to spread. Though it can often be distinguished with a "bulls-eye" appearance, it does not always present that way. If left untreated, symptoms can worsen and include dizziness, brain inflammation, nerve pain, palsy of the face, and pain through the joints, tendons, muscles and bones. In addition to Lyme disease, Blacklegged Ticks can also spread other illnesses, including Powassan virus and Anaplasmosis.
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in Virginia. It can impact not just humans, but cats and dogs as well. Often, Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, but in some cases, it can become a difficult and complex disease to treat. Some people with Lyme disease have a life-long and difficult battle.
Alpha-gal Syndrome
You may have heard of this disease, spread by the Lone Star Tick, in the news. The Lone Star tick is an aggressive biter of humans and is active, in either the nymph or adult stage, throughout the year. These ticks like place such as forest floors, leaf piles, and overgrown grass. The Lone Star tick is brown and the females have a white dot in the center of their back. Lone Star ticks can spread a variety of diseases, including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, STARI, Ehrlichiosis, and a myriad of others.
Alpha-gal Syndrome is triggered by a tick bite and results in people developing an allergy to red meat and sometimes other foods that come from mammals. There is no treatment and these people have to begin to avoid red meat, including beef, pork or lamb, and/or dairy products or gelatins.
How to Protect From Ticks
It is vital that you protect yourself, loved ones, and pets from tick bites. Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when visiting forested areas, areas with organic debris like paths with fallen leaves, and areas with overgrown grasses. Thoroughly check your body, clothing, and other items for ticks when returning to your home.
Professional pest control barriers to eliminate ticks on your property can be a literal life-saver for you and your family.
Let us help you protect your home and family from tick-spread diseases and all other insect dangers. Call us today!
If you want to learn even more about insects in Virginia, visit our Pest Library
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