TICKS Most ticks are born disease-free until they feed on infected wildlife. Once infected, they can carry diseases that affect humans and our beloved pets. Ticks typically live in the brush, like overgrown trails, woodland-edge locations, and natural areas. Three common species that are found on humans are the American dog tick, deer tick, and the lone star tick. Maryland DNR and UMD Extension suggest the best way to defend against ticks is the use of personal protection, such as repellents and long-sleeved clothing. You can treat clothes and shoes with permethrin, which kills ticks on contact, and be sure to tuck pant legs into socks and shirts into pants. After being outside where ticks may hang out, inspect your clothing and body. If you find a tick attached, don’t panic! There is a low risk of disease transmission if the tick is attached for a short period of time (fewer than 24 hours, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Remove it as soon as possible with a slow and steady pull using tweezers as close to the skin as possible, disinfect the attachment area, and note the date the tick was removed. If interested, you can send the tick to a lab to be identified. Where can you do this locally? Johns Hopkins Lyme and Tickborne Diseases Research and Education Institute offers a tick identification service . If you are concerned, notice a rash, or have flu-like symptoms, call your doctor. Early treatment is key for preventing possible long-term complications. Did you know? • Ticks don’t fly, jump, or fall from trees. They ascend vegetation and open their arms, waiting to grab onto a host (this is called questering). • They can also survive below freezing temperatures! • You can throw clothes in a hot dryer for 10 minutes before washing, to kill any lingering ticks attached to clothing. UMD Extension has detailed information about ticks in Maryland including how to stay safe outdoors. Maryland Department of Health also details tickborne diseases for more information. • Ticks in Maryland, UMD Extension • Get Ticks Off, Not Ticked Off, UMD Extension • Tickborne Diseases, Maryland Department of Health
Lone star tick that is “questing," which is the pose they have with their forelegs outstretched, while perched on foliage, so they can sense a host animal passing by that they want to latch on to. People can potentially contract a red meat allergy from this tick's bite, even though Lyme disease (from another tick) gets most of the press with tick-borne illnesses. Photo Credit: Miri Talabec, University of Maryland Extension.
PRO TIP: Use a lint roller to remove possible ticks from clothing!
Hopefully this information will equip you with the tools and knowledge about things that slither and crawl in and around your home and places you visit in Anne Arundel County. Sometimes the more you know about things that intimidate you, the less they scare you! Special thanks to: • University of Maryland Extension, Home and Garden Information Center. Marylanders across the state can submit questions and receive answers from experts through Ask Extension. • Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Sources: 1 https:/dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/plants_wildlife/herps/Herp-Ethics.aspx#:~:text=illegal%20to%20kill%20a%20snake
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