Blacklegged Ticks

What do blacklegged ticks look like? 

Blacklegged ticks are small ticks that are about an eighth of an inch in size. They can triple in size after a meal. These ticks are an orange-brown color with dark legs. Female blacklegged ticks have a dark mark on their backs, just behind their heads. Blacklegged ticks’ bodies are flat and oval-shaped.

Why are they called deer ticks? 

Blacklegged ticks are also called deer ticks because their preferred host is the white-tailed deer.

Are blacklegged ticks common in Tampa Bay?

Several species of ticks are common in the Tampa Bay area. Along with American dog ticks, brown dog ticks, and lone star ticks, blacklegged ticks are found throughout Tampa Bay.

Do blacklegged ticks carry Lyme disease in Florida? 

Blacklegged ticks are best known for carrying and spreading Lyme disease. However, Lyme disease is rare in Florida, and few blacklegged ticks in the Tampa Bay area carry the disease. 

Although this is good news, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have to be concerned about blacklegged ticks. These pests carry and transmit other dangerous diseases in Florida, including anaplasmosis and babesiosis.

The symptoms of both anaplasmosis and babesiosis are similar to the symptoms you might have if you get the flu. Fever, headache, body aches, chills, nausea, and fatigue are all symptoms of both anaplasmosis and babesiosis. The tricky thing about these illnesses is that they can show up weeks after being bitten by a tick. It can be difficult to diagnose if you don’t notice you’ve been bitten or if you forget about a tick bite.

How do blacklegged ticks attach to a host?

Blacklegged ticks like to spend time in areas where they can remain hidden but have access to potential hosts. They are often found in grassy areas, along tree lines, leaf piles, and other lawn debris.

Blacklegged ticks can sense when hosts are nearby. As the host approaches, the ticks lift their front legs to grab onto it as it passes, or they’ll drop down onto it from above. They then make easy work of climbing onto the host and finding a suitable place to feed.

How long do blacklegged ticks need to be attached to transmit disease?

Blacklegged ticks often take their time finding a good spot for a meal. They may crawl around on their host for several hours before settling into a space. On humans, ticks are often found attached to the scalp or the base of the neck, where hair hides their presence. However, they can feed almost anywhere on a host.

Once they attach themselves to their host, it takes a tick several hours to imbed their mouth parts deep enough to start feeding. It is not until the tick starts taking a meal that it has the potential to transmit a disease, which is usually around 12 hours after first attaching. Some diseases require over 36 hours of attachment to be transmitted.

How can I protect myself from blacklegged ticks?

You have to stay vigilant if you want to protect yourself from blacklegged ticks. No matter what precautions you take, it’s important always to inspect your body and clothing for ticks immediately after you’ve spent time outdoors.

Additionally, if you know you’ll be in an area with a high likelihood of tick activity, wear light-colored clothing, long sleeves and pants, and a repellent that contains DEET.

To keep blacklegged ticks off your property, get tick control from a professional pest control company.

What should I do if I find blacklegged ticks on my property? 

If you’ve found blacklegged ticks on your property, contact Anti-Pesto Bug Killers for assistance. Our local pest control team will be happy to help you eliminate ticks so you can enjoy your backyard again. 

How can I make my yard less attractive to blacklegged ticks?

You can do several things to make your yard less attractive to blacklegged ticks. Try these preventative strategies to stop ticks and the wildlife that bring them onto your property:

• Keep grass cut short.
• Remove leaf litter and yard debris.
• Trim bushes and shrubs.
• Install a transitional barrier made of mulch or crushed stone between your yard and the tree line.
• Minimize moisture on your property.
• Remove food sources that might attract wildlife.