![Picture](/uploads/1/0/9/0/109068029/published/tick-questing.jpg?1500327517)
Most ticks are either Deer Ticks or Dog Ticks, both can carry diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease, or the deadly Powassan virus.
Ticks cannot jump or fly, they are thought to seek a host using a method called 'questing', where the tick climbs up on a tall blade of grass or other plant material and waits for a host to pass by and latches on when you brush against them. Ticks find hosts using smell, and repellents work by interrupting that sense.
Avoiding Ticks
If you find a tick on your neck or head it has climbed there, so primarily to avoid them you should focus on the lower part of your body.
Checking for Ticks
From LymeDisease.org:
Proper Tick Removal
There is some debate on how long it takes a tick to transmit disease after a bite, so they should be removed ASAP. There are many false methods to removing ticks that can actually enhance disease transmission.
According to the CDC, use the following method only:
Symptoms of Tick-borne Illness
If you experience any of the following after a tick bite or time outdoors see a physician right away! Not all tick bites result in a rash, and the rash can appear anywhere on your body including your scalp which is hard to detect.
Ticks cannot jump or fly, they are thought to seek a host using a method called 'questing', where the tick climbs up on a tall blade of grass or other plant material and waits for a host to pass by and latches on when you brush against them. Ticks find hosts using smell, and repellents work by interrupting that sense.
Avoiding Ticks
If you find a tick on your neck or head it has climbed there, so primarily to avoid them you should focus on the lower part of your body.
- Apply Bugs Hate Us to all exposed skin, and on outside of clothing on lower part of body.
- Wear long, light colored pants and tuck your socks in. Tuck your shirt in as well.
- Avoid tall grassy areas, when hiking stay on trails.
- Check yourself and others especially children frequently.
- Focus use of repellent and detection efforts on lower areas of body.
- Pets can also carry ticks inside where they can crawl onto you, so check your pets frequently- what dog doesn't love a good petting?!
Checking for Ticks
From LymeDisease.org:
- Periodically inspect clothing and brush off any that you notice. Use the buddy system for hard to see areas!
- Once home, take a shower right away. This will wash away unattached ticks and offer a good chance to thoroughly inspect yourself. Feel for bumps that might be embedded ticks. Pay careful attention to hidden places, including groin, armpits, back of knees, belly button and scalp.
- Parents should check their children.
Proper Tick Removal
There is some debate on how long it takes a tick to transmit disease after a bite, so they should be removed ASAP. There are many false methods to removing ticks that can actually enhance disease transmission.
According to the CDC, use the following method only:
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
- After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
- Dispose of a live tick by submersing it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers.
Symptoms of Tick-borne Illness
If you experience any of the following after a tick bite or time outdoors see a physician right away! Not all tick bites result in a rash, and the rash can appear anywhere on your body including your scalp which is hard to detect.
- Flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, or nausea.
- Joint pain
- Dizziness