Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Household & Public Health: Ticks - Biology and Their Control
Household & Public Health: Ticks - Biology and Their Control
Deer Tick - Ixodes dammini (Ixodes scapularis) Apply an insect repellent to your shoes, socks, and
The deer tick is a cause of concern because it serves pants. Effective tick repellents are those containing
as the primary vector of Lyme disease. Deer ticks are diethyl toluamide (DEET) or permethrin. Occasionally
found in similar habitats as the American dog tick and lone check yourself and your children for ticks, especially on
star tick. Adults are small and dark brown in color, with no the head, groin, and underarm area. Showering after
white markings on their dorsal side. They are more coming indoors may help remove ticks that have not yet
common in the northeastern U.S. and have established attached to the skin. Inspect pets after they have been
populations in northern Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minne- outdoors, and remove ticks found.
sota. Their range is extending into Indiana, where deer
ticks have been frequently reported in the northwestern If a tick is found attached on your skin, use the
part of the state. Larvae and nymphs feed on a wide following procedure:
variety of small mammals (especially rodents - e.g., white- 1. Use blunt forceps or tweezers.
footed mouse), birds, deer, dogs, and humans. Adults 2. Grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible
feed on deer and other large mammals. and pull upward with a steady, even pressure.
Lyme disease, caused by a spirochete the deer tick 3. Take care not to squeeze, crush, or puncture the tick.
carries, has spread from the Northeast, where it was first 4. Do not handle the tick with bare hands because
discovered in 1975, to reported cases in 43 states. Lyme infectious agents may enter via mucous membranes
disease today is most prevalent in the Northeast and or breaks in the skin.
Upper Midwest, including a few reported cases in Indiana. 5. After removing the tick, disinfect the bite site and
Early symptoms of Lyme disease can be mild and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
overlooked. Flu-like symptoms, chills, fever, and fatigue 6. Consult a physician immediately if a rash or flu-like
are often experienced. A first unique symptom is a red, symptoms develop.
expanding rash. More than one rash may appear, and
they do not always occur at the site of the tick bite. The
rash may occur anywhere on the body, even in incon-
spicuous places such as the armpit, groin, or back of the
knee. The more severe symptoms may appear weeks,
months, or even years after a tick bite. These may include
severe headaches, arthritis, and nervous system or car- larva
diac abnormalities. It is obviously much better for Lyme nymph
disease to be diagnosed and treated early. For recom- adult
mended treatment, a doctor should be consulted.
Size Comparison of Tick Stages
Brown Dog Tick - Rhipicephallus sanguineus
This tick differs from the other ticks mentioned, prima- Outdoor Control Measures
rily in its feeding habits. Although it may be found Outdoor control is aimed primarily at the American
occasionally on other animals, the principal hosts for all dog tick, lone star tick, and deer tick. Keep overgrown and
active stages (larvae, nymphs, adults) are dogs. They are heavy vegetation cleared and cut in tick-infested areas.
most often found in and around pet bedding areas. After Eliminate unnecessary vegetation around yards or prop-
feeding, these ticks drop off their host and conceal them- erty, along wood edges, or along the edges of trails and
selves in any available cracks and crevices. Because of paths. Residual insecticides such as diazinon, malathion,
their strong tendency to climb, they are often found behind and stirofos (Rabon®) can be applied on infested areas
cove moldings and window frames and in furniture. such as along roads, walks, and trails where ticks congre-
gate. Also, treatment can be made near ground level on
TICK CONTROL AND PREVENTION grass and under shrubbery and trees, and along edges of
wooded areas. Follow all label directions and precautions
Personal Protection carefully before using any of these insecticides. When
For preventing outdoor tick exposure, avoid tick- using spray formulations, keep children and pets off
infested areas, and wear protective clothing. Stay on treated areas until dry. Some residual insecticides are
established trails, and avoid brushing against vegetation. available for use by professional pest control applicators
Wear light-colored clothing, long pants, and long-sleeved only. They include bendiocarb (Ficam-W®), dioxathion
shirts so that ticks can be more easily seen. Tuck in your (Deltic®), cyfluthrin (Tempo®), deltamethrin (Suspend®),
shirt, and pull your socks over the pant cuffs. and lambda-cyhalothrin (Demand®).
3
Revised 10/2001
It is the policy of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, David C. Petritz, Director, that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to the programs and facilities
without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, or disability. Purdue University is an Affirmative Action employer.