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- Nov 25, 2011
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It's that time of year again when the ticks are emerging and I just wanted to post this so that you know how to properly remove a tick!
http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html
If you do get an embedded tick, do not use fire, oil, or any other home remedies. These can severely stress out the tick and may cause it to vomit into the bite, almost certainly guaranteeing infection if the tick is carrying a pathogen of some sort (Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Heartland Virus, etc.).
In terms of identification, check the picture links below:
Black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) - found east of the Rocky Mountains. There is a similar species west of the Rockies, Ixodes pacificus.
Dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) - found east of the Rockies. There is a similar species west of the Rockies, Dermacentor occidentalis.
Lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) - southeast US (range map).
Gulf coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) - southeast US. Similar to Amblyomma cajennense, which occasionally comes up in the deep South.
Keep in mind that these ticks are small and the larval and nymphal stages are even smaller. Be sure to check skin/clothing when you finish hiking (or collecting ), wear long pants, and use bug spray containing DEET.
http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html
If you do get an embedded tick, do not use fire, oil, or any other home remedies. These can severely stress out the tick and may cause it to vomit into the bite, almost certainly guaranteeing infection if the tick is carrying a pathogen of some sort (Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Heartland Virus, etc.).
In terms of identification, check the picture links below:
Black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) - found east of the Rocky Mountains. There is a similar species west of the Rockies, Ixodes pacificus.
Dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) - found east of the Rockies. There is a similar species west of the Rockies, Dermacentor occidentalis.
Lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) - southeast US (range map).
Gulf coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) - southeast US. Similar to Amblyomma cajennense, which occasionally comes up in the deep South.
Keep in mind that these ticks are small and the larval and nymphal stages are even smaller. Be sure to check skin/clothing when you finish hiking (or collecting ), wear long pants, and use bug spray containing DEET.
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