Ticked Off!!
During the last week of April this year (1998), I had the opportunity to look over some farmland in Shelby County near where I work. So, I thought I would make a quick walk through of the area on my lunch break one day. The terrain is thin to thick brush, old crab apple trees, cropland nearby, and a wooded creek running down the west side. While I didn't see a lot of deer sign, the habitat looked excellent. But, I was soon to discover it also ideal habitat for a much smaller critter as well. I spent about 35 minutes walking around on the property. As I got into my truck to go back to work, I noticed a couple of "spots" on my pants leg. TICKS!! I jumped out and brushed them off. Got back in and noticed two more on my shirtsleeve! Got rid of them real fast too! But, by now I felt like I had the "cooties". So, I checked myself as thoroughly as I could and found no more. At least not until I got back to work, where I looked into the restroom mirror and saw a tick on my collar!
I've only seen one other tick in my 40-plus years of living in Ohio. So, I was very curious about them and did some research which I would like to share with you.
There are twelve species of ticks known to be in Ohio. Two of these can pose serious health risks to sportsmen and others who spend time outdoors. They are the Black Legged Tick and the American Dog Tick.
Male and female (engorged)
Black Legged Ticks. Also
known as Deer Ticks.
The BLACK LEGGED TICK is also known as the Deer tick. In the past these were thought to be separate ticks. However, it is now believed they are one in the same. The Black Legged tick is the main carrier for Lyme disease, which is the most prevalent tick-borne disease in the U.S. There are about 10,000 cases reported each year. The disease gets it's name from Lyme, Connecticut where the disease was first reported in 1975.
The Black-Legged tick in the Ohio region has a two-year life cycle. Eggs deposited in the spring hatch into six-legged larval ticks that attach to small mammals (white-footed mouse, voles, chipmunks) even birds to obtain their first blood meal. After over wintering on their host, these larvae molt to an eight-legged nymph stage. Nymphs then attach to small and medium size animals (mice, dogs, raccoons, possums, gray squirrels) and humans. It is this small nymph stage that transmits the Lyme disease agent to humans. Nymphs later molt to the adult stage the same summer, then crawl to a large mammal, most commonly white-tailed deer.
The Black-Legged tick larva is about the size of a poppy seed, flat, six-legged, and nearly translucent, making it extremely difficult to see. At the nymph stage it is about the size of sesame seed, eight-legged and translucent with a slight tinge of gray. Adult ticks vary in size. The males from 1/16 to 3/32 inch long. The females are larger at 1/8 to 5/32 inch long. Both sexes are dark chocolate brown in color, but the rear half of the female has a distinctly reddish or orangeish coloration that can expand greatly while filling with blood. The larva, the nymph, and the adult female can enlarge to 2 to 3 times their normal size after they have fed on blood.
Early symptoms of Lyme disease include a red rash usually appearing within one to four weeks after a bite. This rash can slowly expand over several days. Many people will have a small redness at the site of the bite, which is a normal sensitivity to the bite itself . Other common symptoms of early Lyme disease are flu-like, and include fatigue, headache, neck stiffness, jaw discomfort, pain or stiffness in muscles or joints, slight fever, swollen glands, or reddening of the eyes.
Lyme Disease is not usually fatal but can be debilitating. If left untreated, the disease can progress to more serious stages that affect the joints, the heart, and the central nervous system. One example is so-called "Lyme Arthritis," with attendant joint pain and swelling. These symptoms, which usually occur in a single joint, can go away after a few days, and recur in another joint. Heart symptoms, which can occur within one to three weeks after the rash, include dizziness, weakness, and an irregular heartbeat. Others may develop a weakness of facial muscles drooping of an eyelid or a corner of the mouth.
Black Legged ticks prefer areas in and around woodlands. The most active months for human infection are May to August. Peak months are June and July.
The adult AMERICAN DOG TICK is the primary transmitter of Spotted Fever, or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, in Ohio. It is also the most commonly found tick in Ohio.
American Dog ticks development is similar to that of Black Legged ticks, except they grow to adults during one season. They feed on increasingly larger hosts as they develop into adult ticks. The tiny larva has six legs. It feeds on rodents such as the meadow vole or white-footed mouse for 3 to 6 days, then drop off. After about a week, it casts off its skin to become an eight-legged nymph. The nymph feeds for a similar length of time on another small mammal, then drops to the ground, where, after 2 to 3 weeks, it becomes an eight-legged adult. Adults prefer larger mammals, including dogs and humans.
Spotted fever symptoms appear 3 to 12 days after a tick bite. There is a sudden onset of symptoms that include fever, headache, and aching muscles. A rash usually develops on the wrists and ankles on the second or third day of fever. The rash then spreads to involve the rest of the body, including the palms and soles. If you experience fever following tick contact, see your doctor. It is important to receive the appropriate antibiotics as soon as possible if spotted fever is suspected. Most fatalities attributed to spotted fever are caused by delays in seeking medical attention.
American dog ticks prefer overgrown vacant lots, waste farm fields, weedy roadsides, and edges of paths and hiking trails. They wait on grass and weeds for a suitable host to brush against the vegetation. Adult American Dog ticks are most abundant from mid-April to mid-July.
Probably the best way to avoid ticks is to avoid their habitat. Unfortunately, these tick holding habitats can also offer ideal habitat for whitetail deer. So if you plan to do any summer scouting, there are some precautions you should take:
+When hiking in woody or brushy areas, try to stick to the middle of any trails.
+Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and a lightweight hat. Tucking pants into socks affords additional protection.
+Wearing light colored clothing of tightly woven fabrics makes it easier to find crawling ticks.
+Insect repellents containing DEET are effective in repelling ticks. Consider using on clothing rather than on skin for longer lasting protection and less risk of skin reactions.
+Another repellent, Permanone, can be sprayed on clothing, especially pants and socks. But it should not be applied to skin.
+Check often for ticks especially after leaving the woods or brushy areas.
Roger Fugate
(Lord of the Harvest newsletter June-98)
