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Beyond the Bite — Lesser-Known Diseases Transmitted by Ticks

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Ticks are considered to be parasites as they feed on their hosts, and they are not uncommon in Boca Raton, Florida. They suck blood from animals, humans, and pets. While they may look like they are insects, they instead come under the category of arachnids. Spiders also come under the same category. 

There are various types of ticks, and they are found in different areas. In the United States, their type may differ from place to place. As discussed earlier, ticks are related to spiders in some way; they also have eight legs. The body shape is oval and flat. Their body can swell when they eat something. 

They are in different shades of brown, ranging from dark brown to brownish red. Their size is small regardless of the various types. The largest among them can increase in size when they eat. They may become the size of an apple seed. 

There are many ticks that are even smaller than this size. If they make it to your place, it will not be easy to detect them. Sometimes, people confuse their bite with that of a mosquito. Thus, reach out to anchorpestservices.com as soon as you can.

What are the different types of ticks?

Their skin can be hard or soft. The different types of ticks have different body types, and even their life cycles differ. Let us discuss the various types briefly:

  • Hard ticks:

The outer shell is called scutum, and it is hard. These ticks have almost seven hundred species. There are different stages to their life cycle:

  1. The female adult tick lays several eggs.
  2. The younger ones are called larvae that come out.
  3. When these larvae suck blood, they get to be called “nymphs.”
  4. They turn into adults after this stage.
  • Soft ticks:

The species here are about two hundred, and their body is soft. Let us look at their lifecycle:

  1. The female adult lays the eggs.
  2. Eggs turn into larvae. 
  3. Larvae, after this, turn into nymphs.
  4. These nymphs go through different phases before finally turning into an adult. 

There are a very small number of ticks that actually cause diseases in humans. When the temperature is warm, these arachnids get longer. It depends on how many of the ticks are actually infected, which will determine if they are going to be able to spread diseases or not. 

What are the places where ticks live?

It usually prefers warm climates as it can survive longer in such temperatures. If it is cold, then they can quickly die. When the climate is warm, they start moving to northern areas, which were cold for them before. In the Eastern U.S., you will likely find black-legged ticks. 

When are ticks conceded most active?

They are most active around the summertime and springtime. April to September is considered a favorable time for these creatures, and that is the high time when you can get a tick bite. 

Who can get bitten by ticks?

It is not necessary to get a tick bite unless you are outside. When you are playing or doing some gardening, you can get a tick bite. It depends on the area you are living in; some areas might be more infested than others. 

What are the diseases caused by ticks?

Ticks cause various diseases; let us look at some of them:

  • Anaplasmosis:

There is a black-legged tick that is responsible for spreading this bacterial disease. You may notice different symptoms, such as muscle aches or chills, etc. 

  • Colorado tick fever:

Rocky Mountain wood ticks are responsible for spreading this disease. You might suffer from a fever for some days if you get bitten. 

Get your home checked for infestation!

If you suspect the presence of these creatures, then it is essential to reach out to a professional right away. If you have already tried different methods, you could still find them at your place. Then, it is time you contact somebody who is an expert in the field. 

Angel Eva
the authorAngel Eva