Ticks are infamous transmitters of various dangerous diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tularemia. Unfortunately, they are common across the U.S. While ticks do live in New York, most cases of tick-borne disease are contracted in grassy or wooded areas outside of densely populated areas.
We’ll help you identify different species of ticks, learn what a tick bite looks like, and how tick control services can keep ticks away.
Ticks are flat teardrop-shaped arachnids. They are related to mites and spiders and have eight barbed legs that can climb or hook onto nearly anything. Following a meal, ticks are round or bean-shaped.
Size: Varies from ⅛ inches to ¼ inches depending on species. Engorged ticks may look larger or rounder.
Color: Brown, red-brown, or tan bodies varying in shade from light to dark. Engorged ticks often appear darker.
When a tick bites you, it cements its hooked mouth beneath your skin and siphons your blood until it’s full. This usually takes 3 to 9 days.
Ticks generally suck blood around the ankles, armpits, underarms, ears, or scalp. You may find the tick burrowed into your skin, or you may see a swollen, red welt. This welt may itch or hurt. Ticks may also latch onto pets around the eyes, paws, shoulder blades, lower legs, noses, or ears.
After a week, some tick bites may develop a “bullseye” rash with an outer ring. This can sometimes be a sign of Lyme disease infection, though not all ticks carry the Lyme bacteria.
If you’ve discovered a burrowed tick on you, remove it quickly but carefully. Grasp the tick as close to the head where it’s attached as possible. If you squeeze the tick’s abdomen or body while detaching, you risk leaving the head embedded. Pull back gently but firmly until the tick is dislodged. Wash and clean the bite thoroughly using antiseptic and germicide.
Save the tick in a plastic bag. If you develop symptoms of a tick-borne disease, a medical professional can test the tick to help with treatment. Even if they do find an infection, the tick may not have been embedded long enough to transmit it; if you get the tick off quickly, it may not have time to transmit disease.
Symptoms of tick-borne illness may include:
Ticks feed on the blood of mammals. They hunt for prey by “questing” or climbing to elevated positions via tall grass, brush, leaves, or low branches. From this position, they can grab hold of, crawl, or drop onto prey passing nearby. The hooked barbs on their legs allow them to attach quickly. They do not jump or fly.
Ticks are active throughout the spring, summer, and fall. They dislike excessive heat and cold. They’re most active during mild springs and early summers. Prey preferences and hunting habits vary by specific species, food availability, environment, and weather.
Ticks complete four development stages in their lifetime: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. This full cycle typically takes two years, but hot weather may expedite it. Ticks must consume a blood meal to pass into each life stage.
Eggs take three weeks to two months to hatch. Newly hatched larvae can feed immediately. They will latch onto prey and feed until engorged. After feeding, larvae molt into nymphs, which eventually molt into adults after another blood meal. Adults typically feed one last time then lay eggs and die.
When spending time outdoors, follow these steps to minimize your risk of tick bites:
For more information about ticks and tick control, count on Assured Environments. If you’re dealing with a tick problem or any other pest control issue at your business, our team can help build a comprehensive, personalized plan to take care of your existing problem and keep new ones from occurring.
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