After spending a lovely day outdoors, you do a post-hike tick check and discover that one of these critters indeed came home with you. Eek! Your mind races. Do you know how to remove a tick properly? The bite from a tiny tick can have outsized consequences on the host. But staying calm is essential.
Carefully remove the tick, save it for later examination, and search for others on yourself and your companions. You know that ticks carry Lyme Disease. But do all ticks carry Lyme disease? It’s important to learn about Lyme disease symptoms to know if and when you should contact your healthcare provider. We’ll explore the connections between tick bites and Lyme disease to minimize confusion and clear up common misconceptions.
Tick Species and Lyme Disease
Let’s get straight to the point: Do all ticks carry Lyme disease? No, they don’t. There are about 850 tick species worldwide, with 90 species active in the United States. Only the infected ticks of two species spread Lyme disease. One is the blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick (lxodes scapularis). The other is the western blacklegged tick (lxodes pacificus).
So, do all deer ticks carry Lyme disease? And do all western blacklegged ticks carry Lyme disease? The answer is no. Depending on the location, less than 1% to more than 50% of this species of ticks may be infected.
However, since Lyme disease symptoms can be so severe, staying alert is crucial. Not all ticks carry Lyme disease, but the risks posed by those that do are significant, so it’s best to be cautious.
When checking for deer ticks and western blacklegged ticks, note that both are small, have flat, oval bodies, and are usually reddish brown or orange brown with dark legs. However, their color and size change throughout different points of the tick life cycle. The western blacklegged ticks may have a slightly more oval shape but are mostly identified according to the location where they are found. Their U.S. presence is most dominant in the Pacific Coast states (California, Oregon, and Washington), but they have also appeared in some neighboring western states.
Deer ticks can be found throughout the eastern United States, but Lyme disease is most prevalent in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Minnesota, Maryland, Virginia, New Hampshire, Delaware, and Maine.
As for other species of ticks, it’s important to watch out for them too, because while all ticks do not carry Lyme disease, they can pose other dangers. In fact, there are many diseases that can be transmitted via tick bites.
These blood-feeding insects thrive throughout the United States and are always searching for a host. And both humans and animals—especially white-tailed deer and chipmunks—make for a tasty meal. Ticks like to live in wooded areas, grassy environments, and, unfortunately, your yard.
Understanding the Basics of Lyme Disease
A dangerous bacterium scientifically dubbed Borrelia burgdorferi causes Lyme disease in humans. You can only get this disease from ticks, and luckily, there’s no evidence that Lyme disease is contagious among humans.
There is a wide range of Lyme disease symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Infected persons often experience fever, aches, fatigue, and headaches. Problems with the heart, joints, and nervous systems are also common. In very rare cases, a person may die from Lyme disease. Treatment is typically a 10-to-21-day course of antibiotics that is most effective when taken as soon as possible. But even after taking antibiotics, some patients experience lifelong Lyme disease symptoms.
A bullseye-shaped rash may appear around the bite site after someone has been infected with Lyme disease. If you see this telltale sign, visit a doctor immediately.
Tick Life Stages and Infection Rates
Let’s explore the four stages of the tick life cycle to learn when the biters become infected with Lyme disease and when they can transmit it to people and pets.
- Tick Egg: Tick eggs do not carry Lyme disease. But a single adult tick can lay thousands of eggs.
- Tick Larva: Once the larval ticks hatch, they seek their first blood meal. If that host is infected with Lyme disease, the tick becomes a Lyme disease vector. White-footed mice are common hosts for tick larvae.
- Tick Nymph: Nymphs become more active, feeding on multiple hosts. If they are infected with Lyme disease or additional pathogens, they will pass them to their hosts.
- Tick Adult: Adult ticks and nymphs are happy to feed on humans, domestic pets, and other animals, infecting them with Lyme disease and other pathogens. Lyme disease transmission typically requires attachment lasting 18 to 24 hours or more. This is why prompt removal is critical to reduce the risk of exposure.
The complex tick life cycle can take up to three years to complete.
Risk of Contracting Lyme After a Bite
Being bitten by an infected tick doesn’t always cause Lyme disease if you remove the tick promptly. But it’s important to monitor the site for any reaction and stay on the lookout for Lyme disease symptoms. These can appear a few days or even several weeks after a bite. Early antibiotic treatment is vital for a fast recovery from Lyme disease, so see a doctor at the first indication of Lyme.
Some Risk Factors for Lyme disease:
Risk factors for contracting Lyme disease include:
- Living in a heavily wooded area
- Exposing a lot of skin while outdoors
- Working an outdoor job
- Having a tick attached to your skin for more than 36 hours
While not all tick species carry Lyme disease, many varieties do sometimes carry other diseases. After removing any tick from your body, watch for any signs of sickness. Again, not every tick will transmit disease, but any tick bite has the potential. So, it’s best to treat every tick bite with caution.
Preventing Tick Bites and Lyme Disease
The best way to prevent tick bites is to avoid their habitat. When you do wander outdoors, cover as much skin as possible. You should also keep your lawn manicured and remove any excess brush and fallen tree limbs. Always thoroughly examine yourself, your family, and your pets for ticks after each outdoor venture. Especially when traveling through preferred tick habitats: heavily wooded areas and areas with tall grass. Protect your property and consider using pesticide treatments to combat ticks.
The threat of ticks can be unsettling, but you don’t have to face it alone. Your local Mosquito Joe® provides exceptional pest control services to help you enjoy the outdoors again.
Contact Mosquito Joe® for Effective Tick Control
So, now you know the answer to the question, “Do all ticks carry Lyme disease?” You probably have more questions.We have much more information to share, so check out our other articles in the Mosquito Joe blog! And contact your local Mosquito Joe today to request a free quote for tick control treatment and other pest management services.
Our professionals arrive in a marked van, on time, dressed in uniform. They are fully equipped with the best tools and training to control tick infestations and other pest problems. The Neighborly Done Right Promise® backed by the Mosquito Joe Guarantee ensures your satisfaction with our work.
