NC Cooperative Extension Service

CHIGGERS & TICKS

Chiggers are tiny red mites whose larva bite many species, including people. Although their bites can cause annoying rashes and allergic reactions, chiggers do not cause diseases in people. Ticks, however, are another story.

Ticks have long been pests of humans and animals in North Carolina. From the larval to the adult stages, ticks attach to a living host and feed on the host's blood. They may transmit germs that cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever, erlychiosis, or Lyme disease, all of which can have serious consequences for humans.

Tick Life Cycle

Ticks are related to mites and spiders. They have four developmental stages:

After hatching from the egg, the tick must take a blood meal to complete each life cycle stage. Each stage of the tick usually takes a blood meal from a different host. For most ticks, each blood meal is taken from a different type of host.

Ticks are most active in the spring, summer,and fall. When seeking a blood meal, ticks move from secluded places such as leaf litter, cracks, and crevices to grass or shrubs where they attach themselves to an animal as it passes.

Once it is on a host, a tick crawls upward in search of a place on the skin were it can attach to take its meal. The tick's mouth parts are barbed, making it difficult to remove the tick from the skin. In addition, the tick manufactures a glue to hold the mouthparts in place. Unengorged female deer ticks are the size of the head of a pin; as they feed they increase in weight by about 100 times over an 8 to 12 day period until they are full. After mating and feeding, the engorged female drops to the ground. Eggs are laid in a secluded place in a crevice or under leaf litter. The egg mass may contain thousands of eggs. The female dies after egg- laying, and the eggs hatch in about two weeks to begin the life cycle again. The life cycle length varies from a few months to two years, depending on the species of tick. back to the list

Tick Removal

The risk of infection with tick-transmitted disease organisms can be greatly reduced by inspecting yourself frequently for ticks and promptly removing any that have attached. Most "home remedies" kill the tick without dislodging it, making it difficult to remove intact. Here is the best way to remove an attached tick:

  1. Shield your fingers with a piece of folded tissue paper or use tweezers. Disease organisms carried by an engorged tick may penetrate even microscopic skin breaks. Grasp the body of the attached tick just behind the head and, without twisting or jerking, pull directly away from the point of attachment, increasing the force gradually until the tick is pulled free.
  2. If the tick's mouth parts break off in the skin, use a sterilized needle to remove them as you would a splinter.
  3. Wash the bite area with soap and water and apply an antiseptic such as alcohol.
  4. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after removing the tick.
  5. Mark the date of the tick bite on a calendar. If symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, erlychiosis or Lyme disease develop, you will be able to tell your physician when you were bitten.
  6. Save the tick by preserving it in rubbing alcohol. Take it to your County Cooperative Extension Center for identification.
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Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever & Erlichiosis

Also known as tick typhus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Erlychiosis are caused by bacteria-like microorganisms. These organisms are not harmful to most wild and domestic animals, but they are extremely pathogenic to humans and dogs. Infection occurs when one is bitten by an infected tick. In addition, pets may carry an infected tick into the family living area. Fortunately, only a small percentage of ticks are infected.

Symptoms of Erlychiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are similar and include:

These diseases are treatable with antibiotics. A person exhibiting any of these symptoms 2 to 14 days after a tick bite should consult a physician at once. Both diseases can cause death if left untreated. back to the list

Lyme Disease

The organism causing Lyme Disease is transmitted though the bite of an infected tick. Deer ticks (also called black-legged ticks) are the most common carriers of Lyme Disease. This relatively new disease has been spreading since it was first found in the Northeast in 1975. It developes in three stages:

Stage 1 involves a rash and flu- like symptoms, including fatigue, headache, stiff neck, muscle aches and pains, within 30 days after infection. Only half of all infected people develop the rash.

Stage 2 occurs during the next several weeks and can cause inflammation of the brain, inflammation of nerve roots, transitory facial paralysis, dizziness, shortness of breath, and heartbeat irregularities. Within several weeks these symptoms usually disappear.

Stage 3 is distinguished by arthritic problems that may appear as long as 2 years after the rash. Patients may experience pain, swelling, and elevated temperature in one or more joints. Some patients may also exhibit sleepwalking, loss of memory, mood changes, and inability to concentrate.

Lyme disease and its complications can be effectively treated with antibiotics. Physicians use different antibiotics against each stage of the disease. With early treatment, the course of Lyme disease is shortened and the occurrence of late complications, such as arthritis, is reduced. Therefore, it is important to diagnose Lyme disease and administer antibiotic therapy quickly. back to the list

Mark Blevins, Horticulture Agent


http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/gaston/
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