Ticks are small bloodsucking parasites that fall in the arachnid family, usually black or brown in color. They normally range from 3mm to 5mm in length. There are many species of ticks, and they’re known to transmit diseases to animals and people. These can include Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Tularemia. When a tick bites someone the reaction will be seen as a red, raised area that may itch. It is not uncommon for it to be visible for a few days. In extreme cases it can be felt longer.
Normally ticks are obtained by going through thick vegetation or passed from other animals. Outdoors they can be found in tall grass and shrubs, and they like to hitchhike themselves to any person or animal that walks by. They do this by climbing to the top of a tall blade of grass and extend their two front legs out, this process is called questing. They find their hosts by sensing breath, body order, body heat, moisture or vibrations. When a suitable host brushes against them, the tiny hooks on their front legs latch on. From there they then crawl around to find a suitable spot to cut a hole into the skin so they can start feeding. Though it is not impossible to find them inside as well. They could live inside cracks and crevices or even the hosts nest.
Ticks attach themselves for a period of time and then drop off their host to lay eggs. The female can lay up to 18,000 eggs. The female must engorge herself with blood to obtain the nourishment necessary to produce the thousands of eggs she lays, and only a small percentage of her babies will make it to maturity. Blood consumption is needed for them to grow through all stages of their lifecycle. These stages include the egg, larval, nymph and adult. Even though ticks need a blood meal to grow and to reproduce they can still survive for weeks without a host.
If you ever need to remove a tick make sure to grasp it behind the head with tweezers and pull slowly. Avoid crushing the pest as it may lead to the release of further dangerous fluids.
To help prevent ticks from hurting your loved ones you can do the following: dispose of all empty bird and rodent nesting materials, trim lawns, add gravel barriers around wooden areas and patios, and to do regular pest inspections. If you find this isn’t enough calling a professional exterminator is always the most guaranteed route. Here at Palm Coast we pride ourselves in making sure you’re satisfied and pest free!
