How To Keep The Ticks Away From Your Durham Property

What Do Ticks In Durham Look Like?

Ticks are arachnids, which means they have eight legs. But ticks don't always have eight legs. Young ticks (called seed ticks) only have six legs. They grow an additional pair of legs as they mature into adult ticks, so it is sometimes difficult to identify a tick.

Another challenge with identifying ticks is that they're small. If you find a tiny tick on you, you may have trouble distinguishing that it is a tick, never mind figuring out if it is a black-legged tick, American dog tick, or brown dog tick.

It is easiest to identify a tick when it is engorged because it is swollen and large. It will also have a greyish blue coloration that is far more noticeable than the reddish brown and black coloration of the tick's body.

Three Ways To Identify A Tick Bite

Most of the time, you'll know you have a tick bite when you find an engorged tick attached to your skin. But what if you don't see that big, fat, gross tick on your skin? Is there a way to tell that you have been bitten by a tick? Yes. Here are three ways to identify a tick bite.

1. Many insects can bite you. Most will cause a wound that is filled with fluid or puss. Some will cause an ulcer or a pustule. Tick bites don't look like any of these. You'll likely find a small, hard bump at the center if you have a tick bite.
2. While ticks don't take humans as hosts, a tick is going to do what a tick is going to do. They're attracted to fur and hair, so they're most likely to bite your head, armpits, groin, or legs.
3. There is often a rash associated with tick bites. Unfortunately, ticks aren't the only biting pests that cause rashes. But deer ticks can create a rash that is distinct from other pests. It looks like a bullseye. When you see a rash like this, seek medical attention immediately and tell your physician that you think a tick bit you.

Tick bites aren't always a source of concern. Not all ticks are infected with a disease, and the younger the tick, the less likely disease transmission will occur. If you find a little six-legged tick attached to your skin, there is a good chance you're their first meal. If so, the tick has not yet had an opportunity to contract a disease from an animal. Tick-borne diseases are zoonotic. Let's take a look at some diseases they spread.

The Diseases That Ticks Carry

Over the last two decades, Lyme disease has increased significantly and has caught the attention of news outlets. You've likely heard of this disease, which is spread by deer ticks (also called black-legged ticks). Lyme disease can cause chronic symptoms that last a lifetime if not treated properly. The good news is that black-legged ticks don't readily bite people. If you take minimal steps to protect yourself, such as spraying mosquito repellent on your legs before you go for a walk in the woods, you don't need to worry as much. 

Lyme disease isn't the only scary tick-borne disease out there. Ticks are associated with a long list of diseases.

• Alpha-gal syndome (also referred to as red meat allergy) is a potentially chronic illness. It is associated with Lone Star ticks, but fortunately it is rare.  
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a potentially deadly disease. It is most often spread by American dog ticks which prefer to bite dogs, not people. If you contract this disease, you are at risk, but you may just have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.
• Ehrlichiosis is potentially deadly, but in most cases, it is not. Few people get this disease and symptoms are rarely severe. The primary concern with this disease is that it causes brain inflammation. If you experience a headache after getting a tick bite, seek medical assistance.
• Babesiosis is commonly found in association with Lyme disease. As many as 20 percent of Lyme disease patients are also found to have babesiosis. It is also linked to anemia. The good news is that it is rare. But you should familialrize yourself with the symptoms, just in case.
• Anaplasmosis is a concern, but you aren't likely to have a problem with anaplasmosis unless you're getting lots of bites and, if you are, you have other diseases to worry about more than this one.  

It is not good to have ticks always biting you, but disease transmission is not as common as you may have heard. You don't need to fear ticks. Our recommendation is to take simple tick control precautions on your property as well as when you are away from home.