Tick Facts

There are more than 850 species of ticks on the planet, most host parasites. Many of those parasites are problematic for both humans and canines. Ticks are technically arachnids, not insects. Ticks generally crawl up their hosts from the tips of grasses and shrubs and can attach within seconds. Many will scour their host, seeking warm, moist areas, such as the groin, ears, or tail areas. Tick saliva acts as a cement to anchor the tick in place, so many are difficult to remove. It is also believed to be responsible for the itchy, irritated lump left behind after proper tick removal. A bite from the Lone Star Tick can cause rare allergies to red meat in humans. Dogs can also develop this allergy and often react with itching, skin lesions, and hair loss if their diets contain beef, lamb, or pork.

Lone Star ticks have been seen all over Delmarva. Ticks have natural predators; they include frogs, lizards, squirrels, opossums, guinea fowl, and wild turkeys. They are also consumed by wolf spiders, chiggers, and some large ants. Unfortunately, their numbers often outweigh their predators, resulting in an endemic situation.

Lavender, peppermint, citronella, lemon grass, cedar, rose geranium, and citrus are fragrances proven to deter ticks. It has been proven many times over that ticks will avoid latching onto anything that smells of these fragrances. According to Igenex Labs, "The time of day when ticks are most active can vary from species to species, as some prefer to hunt during the cooler and more humid hours of the early morning and evenings. Others are more active at mid-day when it is hotter and dryer." Have you been camping for the weekend? Be sure to toss your dog's bedding in the washer and dryer. A spin in the dryer will literally "crisp" them to death. Ticks typically do not live more than 48 hours in our homes unless attached to a host. Tick.com tells us that the length of time a tick stays attached depends on the tick species, tick life stage and host response to the bite. Generally, if undisturbed, larvae remain attached and feed for about 3 days, nymphs for 3-4 days, and adult females for 7-10 days. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), ticks must be attached for at least 36 hours

to transmit Lyme disease. Still, there are discrepancies with other scientists who think they only need 24 hours to transfer Lyme. Other studies conducted at the CDC have found spirochetes (the parasite that causes Lyme Disease) in tick saliva, indicating some ticks can transmit the disease as soon as they bite, before active feeding begins. Rickettsia and the Powassan virus have been shown to transmit in less than 15 minutes. There is no safe time for a tick to be attached to you or your dog. Untreated tick-borne illness can trigger an auto-immune disease in both humans and canines. If you are bitten and experience flu-like symptoms, visit your doctor for an evaluation. Symptoms in dogs are often similar, with the most visible signs including lethargy, lameness, and loss of appetite. Your veterinary professional can run a blood test right in the office and get your dog on antibiotics quickly to help prevent secondary problems from arising.