We usually tend to think of them in the context of how to avoid them, and what to do if you find them on you or your pets. Understanding the tick’s lifecycle and how it relates to the likelihood of Lyme disease is key to prevention. There are many types of ticks, but the only tick that might carry Lyme disease is the blacklegged tick, often called the “deer tick”. We say “might” because not all deer ticks carry the disease. Read on.
You need to look at the typical lifecycle of the deer tick. Over two seasons, a tick will go through four stages from egg, to larva, to nymph, and then adult. After the eggs hatch, you’ll find that each of the growing stages (the larva, nymph or adult) can attach to any mammal it can latch onto. During each of these three stages, the tick will feed off three different hosts. They are quite small early on and difficult to see. For example, the larva is about the size of a grain of sand, the nymph is the size of a poppy seed, and the adult is the size of an apple seed. But when ticks feed, they swell with the host’s blood and are transformed to a much bigger size.
EGG STAGE
Typically, ticks live in wooded or grassy areas like forested properties, provincial or national parks and such. But they can also now be found in suburban properties.
Its two-year lifecycle starts in the early spring when the overwintering adult female tick lays hundreds, even thousands of tiny eggs all at once in one sticky cluster. The black or red caviar-like mass of eggs is stuck together and is about the size of a quarter. The egg nest is more often found outdoors on the ground on grass blades, on a leaf or a patch of soil. It is, however, possible that the eggs can be laid in your house, shed or garage if the female tick was brought in by your pets. If you spot an egg mass either outside or inside, a dose of alcohol, salt or Wilson CRAWL OUT Home Pest Control will kill the eggs before they can hatch.
LARVA STAGE
The eggs may take 2 weeks to 2 months to hatch, depending on weather conditions. But the hatchlings (larvae) are nonetheless quite active in the summer months, until August. These hundreds or thousands of tick eggs from the one nest will hatch into tiny, 6-legged larvae (adults have 8 legs) that immediately climb up on grass and low vegetation to attach themselves for a blood meal from passing small animals, usually mice, but also squirrels, rabbits, raccoons or birds. The tick larvae are not infectious when they hatch. That occurs afterwards when they latch onto animals that may have the Lyme disease bacteria. Mice are the most common transmitters of the bacteria. If the larvae don’t latch onto a mouse, they may feed on animals that may not carry the disease. If the animals they draw from aren’t infected, the larvae do not become infected with Lyme disease at this point. These larvae will feed for about 2-9 days on a host, then drop to the ground, and make use of the blood collected to molt into the 8-legged nymph stage.
NYMPH STAGE
This stage is occurring in the fall and spring. The nymph becomes inactive once temperatures are below 7 °C. The nymph will begin climbing on vegetation looking for a new host in the fall, but most of this activity is in the following spring. Your biggest concern for these nymphs is in May, June and July when they climb up tall vegetation to reach a host. They will sit and wait for a desirable host to latch onto. Their favourite hosts are deer, but they will hitch onto you and your pets as a substitute. They will hang on for 4-5 days if undetected. If this nymph picked up the Lyme disease bacteria during its larva stage, the new host unfortunately would get infected. Once a nymph gets its meal, it will leave the host and molt into an adult.
Note that when this infected nymph later molts into a full adult, it will continue to spread the bacteria.
ADULT STAGE
This final stage occurs later in fall. The adult ticks will continue their quest for new blood on a third host. Since ticks cannot fly or jump, they simply wait for some host to brush up against the tall vegetation where they lay in wait. Once they feed on blood, they mate, the males die off and the females overwinter to start the cycle all over again two years after they were born. The female dies right after laying its egg mass.
Note: If its any consolation, ticks never lay eggs on their animal hosts. They must drop off the host and lay eggs on the ground. Oh, and if a tick can’t latch onto a host at any stage, it will die.
So, keep in mind that during the summer months, you can find new larvae and nymphs from last year both active at the same time, waiting for you and your pets. And during late summer and early fall, you’ll find nymphs and adults living at the same time. They are a problem to avoid.
PREVENTION
There are things you can do to protect yourself and your pets.
PEOPLE:
- Cover your skin with long sleeves and pants when going outdoors where ticks might live. Tuck your shirt into your pants and pull your socks over your pant legs. If you can, wear gloves.
- Use PMRA-registered bug repellents containing DEET or icaridin, as they will keep these pests away for 1-3 hours. You’ll need to re-apply as necessary.
- You can buy pre-treated clothes that contain a PMRA-approved insecticide, such as shirts, pants and hats.
- Walk on cleared paths or walkways.
- Do a body check for ticks for both you and your children, after outdoor activities. Check in the hair, under the arms, around the ears, inside the belly button, behind knees, between legs and around the waist. And shower to be sure.
- Wash your clothes in hot water or toss them in the dryer. Heat kills ticks.
PETS:
- Look for flea and tick products. Some are applied to the skin, some worn as a collar, and some given orally. Most can be purchased over the counter. But for more robust treatment, talk to a veterinarian as they can prescribe a topical or oral product that lasts for months.
- Check your pets regularly, especially after outdoor activities.
- Spray pet beds and your pet’s favourite resting place with Wilson CRAWL OUT Home Pest Control.
- Ticks tend to be in high grass or among leaves and other debris. Keep your grass short and keep the edges of your property tidy.
Preventive treatment against Lyme disease
Pharmacists can now prescribe preventive treatment against Lyme disease for people who have been bitten by a tick.
If you think you have been bitten by a tick, go to the pharmacy without delay for a consultation with your pharmacist. Bring the insect with you. Your pharmacist will prescribe an antibiotic if needed.
SEEK MEDICAL HELP if you have any of the following:
- rash
- fever
- fatigue
- headache
- muscle pain
- joint swelling and pain
With the chance of getting Lyme disease from ticks being more and more prevalent, it is important for you to be armed with all the information needed to protect yourself, your family and your pets.
