Ticks

MoJo the Tick

Ticks are small blood sucking creatures which can be divided into two distinct groups; the hard ticks and the soft ticks.  Within the hard tick group there are four sub-groups consisting of the Lone Star Tick, American Dog Tick or Wood Tick, Brown Dog Tick, and the Black-legged Tick or Deer Tick.  Ticks are considered the second most important vector of infectious disease behind the mosquitoes. 

In Texas, the most common ticks are the hard ticks and most of these species are also known “three-host ticks.” This means that during each stage of life (eggs, larva, nymph, and adult) these ticks find different host animals after feeding off blood, they then fall off the host, and began molting on the ground.  Effective tick elimination and control involves treating the animal, the yard, the garage, and all areas throughout the house especially the carpet and sofa areas.   If an infestation has spread indoors an additional treatment should be made at the same time as the yard and garage are treated. 

In addition, total control will most likely require that your dog be treated through the use of veterinarian prescribed insecticidal shampoos, insecticidal dips, and or specialize ointments all of which should be overseen by a veterinarian. 

The Lone Star Tick, shown below, do not transmit Lyme disease but will cause red skin rash and skin irritation if bitten.  Once bitten, humans will experience fatigue, headache, fever, muscle, and join pains, which often requires treatment from a physician and prescribed antibiotics. These ticks will feed off blood from humans during all three stages of life including the larva, nymph, and adult. Lone star ticks will quickly feed off animals usually both dogs and cats.   During the past 20 years there have been a significant increase in the population of these ticks in central Texas and Oklahoma.  People should avoid tick habitats like dense woods and thick brushy areas.  In these areas, however, people should use insect repellents containing DEET or permethrin, ware long pants and thick socks, and perform tick checks frequently.    These ticks can be easily identified by the single white spot on their back.       

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The Brown Dog Tick, is found worldwide in close association with domestic and feral dogs but these ticks will also attack humans.  These ticks can be identified by their solid light-brown color.  The best management and control strategy is prevention of infestations in the house or kennel.  The earlier the infestation is discovered, the easier it is to control spreading.  Its important to groom and inspect your pets frequently, especially dogs when your dogs have been quartered or have interacted with other dogs.

The Black-Legged Tick (Deer Tick), are characterized by their black legs and the distinct annual groove which circles their anus. These ticks are the primary vector is the spirochete which is the pathogen that causes Lyme disease in humans. This disease can be serious and is characterized by its “bulls eye” rash that forms around the bite site and eventually leads to chills, fever, joint inflammation, muscle pain, confusion, and chronic arthritis.