Identification of Ticks in Belleview, FL; American Dog, Lone Star, Gulf Coast, Deer Tick & More

Florida provides the perfect breeding ground for ticks, with summer being the prime time. Ticks are a type of insect called arthropods, like spiders, they are classified as arachnids. They have eight legs like spiders, but unlike spiders they feed on blood from mammals. Unfortunately, this includes us and our pets. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that tick-borne illnesses are on the increase and disease cases doubled between 2004 and 2016!

Types of Ticks Found in Florida

• American dog tick, also called wood ticks. They are reddish-brown in color and can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. They tend to feed on dogs in their adult stage.
• Brown dog tick. These are brown ticks that are usually found on dogs. They can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
• Lone star tick. These ticks are brown with a visible patch of white on their backs. They can transmit ehrlichiosis, tularemia and STARI (Southern Tick Associated Rash Illness).
• Gulf coast tick. This tick looks like the American dog tick with larger mouthparts and can transmit rickettsiosis, a form of spotted fever
• Black-legged tick, also known as deer ticks or the Lyme disease tick. They are reddish-brown in color with black legs.

How Tick Borne Diseases are Transmitted

Ticks in the nymph and adult stage can transmit disease. Nymphs can pose more of a risk because their tiny size makes them harder to see. One tick bite can transmit multiple diseases. Diseases that ticks can transmit can lead to lifelong illnesses and medical complications. Ticks do not fly, jump or run, but they do “quest”. They hang out on leaves, tall grass and branches, positioned with their tiny legs ready to grab onto a warm body that brushes by. The only way a tick can mature is to feed and they will wait patiently to grab a free ride not to mention a meal on an innocent passerby to ensure survival.

Tick Prevention & How to Remove

Prevention and quick tick removal are both important to prevent getting sick. Wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves in areas with ticks so it is easier to notice them, plus it deters flying insects that can bite. When you hike, stay in the center of the path and avoid walking through tall grasses and other vegetation and apply repellents to exposed skin. If you find a tick, do not pull on it. Use tweezers and grasp the tick as closely to the body as possible and pull straight back and try not the squeeze the tick. Using petroleum jelly, a hot match, alcohol or fingernail polish are not effective methods to remove ticks and chances are that you’ll increase the likelihood of disease transmission. It’s a good idea to keep the tick in a jar in case symptoms of an illness start.

Tick Control

Ticks have more access to your family than any other pest, especially if you have pets. If you suspect you might be dealing with ticks, call Pest 911 for immediate tick control treatment to avoid any risk of getting sick. Contact us today!