Bug Control Tick Talk

Bug Control Tick Talk

By Heather Stickney

How to Stay Bite-Free This Season

( SPONSORED CONTENT)— In the battle against ticks and the diseases they carry, understanding the basics and taking preventative measures to prevent bites is fundamental.

What are Ticks?

Technically, ticks are not insects. They belong to the Arachnid class of the animal kingdom, along with spiders and mites and like other arachnids, adult ticks have eight legs, segmented bodies and lack antennae and wings. Ticks are parasitic arachnids that rely on blood meals from people or other animals to survive.

There are two types of ticks. These include hard ticks( Ixodidae) and soft ticks( Argasidae). Hard ticks have a hard outer shell called a scutum, while soft ticks have a soft body.

Both hard and soft ticks have four stages in their life cycles:

• Egg

• Larvae

• Nymph

• Adult

Each type of tick requires blood meals to develop from larvae into nymphs, and nymphs into adults. While hard ticks only go through one nymph stage before molting and becoming adults, soft ticks may go through up to seven nymph phases. Hard ticks are more likely to bite humans than soft ticks, which feed primarily on rodents.

Where are Ticks Found?

There are 700 tick species in the world, and approximately 50 types live in the United States. Most ticks do not transmit disease to people, however, those that can, are growing in number and geography.

When are Ticks Active?

Temperature plays a crucial role in tick activity. While they thrive in warm, humid conditions, they become active once temperatures reach 45 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

• Spring: Adult ticks emerge in search of food after winter dormancy.

• Summer: Nymphs— smaller and harder to spot— are at their peak activity.

• Fall: Nymphs mature into adults, feeding and reproducing before winter.

Though ticks are most active from April to September, they can remain a concern year-round.

Who Do Ticks Bite and Why Does it Matter?

Ticks typically live in tall grass, brush, leaf piles and wooded areas. They prefer moist, shady spots that are close to the ground. Anyone who spends time outdoors is at risk of a bite. This includes family pets.

Tick bites are usually painless, so you may not notice when one occurs. Instead, you might find the tick attached to your skin or see a red bump similar to a mosquito bite. Most bites are harmless, but some individuals may experience allergic reactions. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, a burning sensation at the bite site, a rash or blisters. In severe cases, shortness of breath may occur.

Tick Types

• American dog ticks: Found east of the Rocky Mountains and in limited areas west of the Rockies.

• Blacklegged ticks or“ deer ticks”: Located across the eastern United States.

• Brown dog ticks: Found nationwide.

• Gulf Coast ticks: Detected mostly in the southeastern U. S., with populations also located in the southwest, Midwest and northeast.

• Lone star ticks: Located in the east, southeast and south-central U. S.

• Rocky Mountain wood ticks: Found primarily in the Rock Mountain states.

• Western blacklegged ticks: Located along the U. S. Pacific coast, especially in northern California.

As parasites, ticks have the unfortunate ability to pass debilitating diseases that can result in death.

Among these diseases are:

• Lyme disease: Spread by the Blacklegged( Deer) tick. Symptoms include fever, rash, arthritis, facial paralysis and an irregular heartbeat, depending on the stage of the infection. An early sign of the disease is a rash resembling a bullseye near the bite site.

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever: Spread by the American dog tick. Characteristic symptoms include headache, fever, rash, muscle or stomach pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.

• Alpha-gal syndrome: Spread by the Lonestar tick, alpha-gal is a sugar molecule transferred by the tick’ s bite. Individuals allergic to alpha-gal can have a mild to severe reaction to red meat, including beef, pork and lamb. It may also trigger an allergic reaction to other foods that come from mammals, including dairy products and gelatin. Symptoms can include hives, itching, scaly skin, swelling of the lips, tongue, face, throat or other body parts, wheezing, shortness of breath, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea.

How to Protect Yourself From Ticks

To protect yourself from tick bites, avoid tall grass and stay near the center of hiking and walking trails. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, opting for light-colored clothing to make ticks easier to see. Tuck pant legs into high socks, and wear boots or shoes instead of sandals. Treat exposed skin with an Environmental Protection Agency-registered skin insect repellent( such as DEET.)

As an added layer of protection, treat clothing and gear with a permethrin-based spray like Green Armor Insect Repellent for clothing and gear from Summit Responsible Solutions.

Green Armor is a ready-to-use solution that adds an odorless layer of protection to shirts, jackets, pants, socks and shoes. Use it to treat gear including backpacks, tents, camping chairs, ground cloths and more. The permethrin in Green Armor bonds to fabric fibers to kill and repel ticks and other biting insects including mosquitoes, chiggers and mites. One 32-ounce bottle will treat up to seven full outfits and last up to six weeks, even after washing. The product is available at select farm and ranch stores and online.

Final tip: Always check your clothing and gear for ticks after spending time outdoors.

Do a full-body check, paying close attention to:

• In and around your hair and ears

• Under your arms

• Inside your belly button

• Around your waist

• Between your legs

• Behind your knees

And don’ t forget to check your pets, too!

32 AcreageLife May 2025 AcreageLife. com

AcreageLife. com May 2025 AcreageLife 33