Ticks

Ticks

In Florida, we generally deal with five different types of ticks which are blacklegged ticks, lone star ticks, American dog ticks, gulf coast ticks, and argasid ticks. Ticks are known to suck the blood of many different types of animals such as humans, rodents, cattle, and even lizards. These insects are vectors for different diseases which can cause serious problems for those affected.

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How to Remove a Tick That Is Feeding 

To remove a tick, grasp it with on its mouthparts with tweezer and pull it straight out with firm pressure. After removal you can use a flame to kill the tick.

How To Avoid Tick Bites and Diseases

  1. Remove ticks as soon as they are noticed on pets or people
  2. In areas known to have ticks present, keep clothing buttoned and tucked in, including placing pants inside boots
  3. Apply insect repellents to uncovered skin
  4. Avoid touching plants in tick-infested areas
  5. Clear brush along pathways and frequented areas
  6. Inspect for ticks frequently if you live in an area prone to ticks
  7. Have your pets placed on a flea and tick medication

Are Ticks Dangerous?

Yes, ticks can transmit disease they carry. Nymphs (juvenile ticks) come with increase risk to spread disease often because they are small enough to go unnoticed. Ticks must feed for several hours to transmit a disease so quick identification and removal is crucial.

Diseases ticks can carry:

Rocky Mountain Fever

Paralysis in dogs in children when the tick attaches itself to the skull or spinal column

Ehrlichiosis

Southern tick-associated rash illness

Rickettsia Parkeri

Lyme Disease

Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis

Babesiosis

Ticks feed on the blood of animals. They usually hitch a ride on unexpecting hosts while they are outside. Ticks will grab ahold of a host as they brush against a plant or touching similar items in a landscape.

If you find ticks on you or your pet, you will want to remove them with a set of tweezers. Eliminate the tick after removal by using a flame. In severe cases, you may want to reach out to a veterinarian to help remove large amounts of ticks from a pet. If a tick infestation happens in your home, we recommend reaching out to a pest control operator. These insects can be incredibly hard to eliminate and usually require multiple treatments to gain control.

Ticks can be prevented by having your pet put on a preventative flea and tick medication as well as taking proper precautions prior to going out into wooded areas. See the above area that states tips for avoiding tick bites and diseases.

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