Also known as a deer tick, the black-legged tick is one of Bucks County's most common ticks. It is notorious for the dangerous pathogens it spreads.
Like other ticks, black-legged ticks undergo four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. At most of these stages, the tick indulges in blood meals, feeding on a variety of vertebrates, including people and pets, though white-tailed deer are the preferred host.
Black-legged ticks are found in tall grasslands, areas with shrubs, and deciduous forests, which are also commonly home to white-tailed deer. People and dogs also visit these areas, making it easy for black-legged ticks to spread to residential and commercial buildings, as well as surrounding yards and landscaping.
These dangerous pests are vectors for Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis. Given the possibility of spreading serious illnesses, it is critical to seek black-legged tick control as soon as possible.
Tick control is a complicated and involved process. Most property owners do not have the expertise or the necessary supplies required to stop ticks. When black-legged ticks invade, exterminators can provide the strongest possible response.
Black-legged ticks are some of the smallest ticks in North America. Full-grown adults only reach a size equivalent to that of a sesame seed. When they take a blood meal, they may swell slightly. The bodies are flat and oval-shaped, and they do not have hard shells. Black-legged ticks have a distinctive reddish color, a solid black dorsal shield, and thin, sharply pointed mouthparts. Ticks are arachnids, meaning they have eight legs.
This species is most frequently found in places around Bucks County where white-tailed deer also live. Many of these areas are commonly visited by people and their pets, enhancing the opportunities for black-legged ticks to spread.
Deciduous forests, tall grasslands, and areas with heavy shrubs are the most likely places to pick up black-legged ticks. Many people bring infestations back with them after a day of hiking or a night spent camping. Performing a thorough tick check on people, pets, and gear is essential to stopping the spread of black-legged ticks.
These pests survive on a diet of blood collected from vertebrates. The white-tailed deer is the favored host, hence the alternative name, deer tick. While white-tailed deer may be preferred, black-legged ticks also feed off amphibians, reptiles, birds, and people.
These pests find a host by detecting body odor and breath. They are also capable of sensing vibrations, moisture, and body heat, making it generally not challenging for them to find a meal. The tick waits on a well-traveled path, adopting a position known as "questing," which involves holding onto a leaf or other vegetation with their rear legs while leaving their forelegs available to latch onto a host. The tick climbs onto a host with incredible speed at the first contact with a pair of legs or other body part.
The tick may explore the host's body, looking for an appropriate feeding spot. When one is found, it cuts through the skin's surface and inserts a feeding tube. The feeding tube has barbs that hold it in place.
If allowed, the tick will stay attached, feeding for several days.
This species does not cause damage to landscaping or man-made structures. Nonetheless, many people are sensitive to the presence of these blood-sucking parasites. Their tiny size makes it easy for them to hide almost anywhere, and most people do not like the idea of sharing their living and working spaces with such bloodthirsty companions.
Members of this species are indiscriminate when choosing a host. Any warm body that happens by will serve the purpose. The tick will latch on and not let go for several days, feeding the entire time, slowly sipping blood until fully engorged.
It is possible to remove ticks with a pair of tweezers. People are encouraged to remove ticks from themselves, children, and pets before getting into the car after a day spent in the wilderness. Otherwise, the tick will remain attached and continue to feed.
Yes.
Black-legged ticks are recognized vectors for illnesses such as Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis.
In the U.S., Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness. Symptoms may include fatigue, headache, fever, and a skin rash. When untreated, the condition can spread to the nervous system, heart, and joints. Antibiotics are the most frequently prescribed treatment for Lyme disease.
People diagnosed with Anaplasmosis usually present with symptoms such as chills, shaking, muscle aches, fever, and severe headache. Some patients may also experience joint pain, diarrhea, cough, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Again, antibiotics can address this condition.
Babesiosis is rare, but when it appears, it involves signs such as headache, loss of appetite, chills, fever, sweats, fatigue, and nausea. Certain people will develop hemolytic anemia, in which red blood cells are destroyed. When untreated, Babesiosis can cause blood clots, organ failure, and instability of blood pressure. Doctors typically prescribe a combination of drugs to combat this illness.
Signs of a black-legged tick problem include:
To help prevent black-legged tick issues, take the following precautions:
At Newtown Termite & Pest Control, we take tick problems seriously. That's why we employ a comprehensive system based on both treatment and prevention when providing tick control for your home or business.
Our treatment process includes all areas where ticks are known to hide, including cracks, crevices, around doors, windows, baseboards, carpeting, furniture, and pet areas.
We use only the finest professional-grade products available, designed to kill ticks on contact and provide long-lasting protection against future infestations.
Schedule a FREE inspection today.
GET THE FACTS
Courtesy: Newtown Termite & Pest Control, Inc.
PEST PROBLEMS?
Expert Pest Control in Bucks County, Montgomery County, Central NJ, and Saint Cloud, FL
© Newtown Termite & Pest Control, Inc. since 1993
All Rights Reserved.