| Ticks - Profile and How to Exterminate, Fumigate, Kill, Control or Get Rid Of. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Find what could be pestering you ? ParasitesBed Bugs, Fleas and Ticks
Guidelines to Prepare for Bed Bug Extermination, A Pictorial of Real Life Bed Bug Infestations , and Bed Bug, Their Eggs, Feces, & Skin - What do they look like, and General Guidelines to Prepare for a Spray Treatment. Rodents: Mice and Rat
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City of Toronto City of Toronto's Public Health Public Health, City of Toronto (416 338 7600)- Fact Sheet on Bed Bug Infestations - Rights and Responsibilities - NOV. 2008 |
TICKS OF EASTERN CANADA Ticks belong to a group of animals known as arachnids, which also includes spiders, mites and scorpions. Ticks are often mistakenly referred to as insects, but can be readily distinguished from them. Adult insects have a three-segmented body, two antennae and six legs. Adult ticks have two-segmented body, no antennae and eight legs.
DESCRIPTIONTicks which are of importance to humans belong to the family Ixodidae. These ticks are known as "hard ticks" because both the males and females have a hard plate covering their backs. The plate covers the entire back of the male but only covers the anterior region of the female's back. The posterior portion of the female's back can become greatly expanded during feeding. Ticks are obligate parasites, which means that they must obtain a blood meal from a host in order to survive and reproduce. Female adults are usually 6 mm in length before feeding but may swell to 13 mm in length when fully engorged with blood. Although both males and females require blood meals, the female's requirement is much greater because the nourishment is needed for egg production. LIFE HISTORYHard ticks feed on two or three hosts during their development because the larval, nymphal and adult stages each require nourishment in the form of a blood meal. Mated females lay thousands of eggs on the ground. The eggs hatch into larvae or "seed ticks" which only have 6 legs. These larvae remain close to the emergence site and climb up on grass and low vegetation so they may attach themselves to small animals which pass by. After feeding for 2 to 9 days on their hosts, the larvae drop to the ground, digest the blood and then moult to the 8-legged nymphal stage. The nymphs attach themselves to second hosts. After feeding on these hosts, the nymphs moult to the 8-legged adult stage. Other species are nest-associates and remain within a nest or burrow. Ticks can overwinter as eggs, larvae, nymphs or as adults depending on the species. Ticks are adapted for prolonged periods of starvation. The entire life cycle may require 3 years to complete. After an adult female attaches itself to a host, it often takes up to a week to complete its feeding. Once the female has become engorged, it drops to the ground, mates and lays its eggs. Mating can also take place on the host before or during feeding. Adult males die after completing fertilization. Female adults die after egg-laying is complete. COMMON SPECIES1. Groundhog TickThe groundhog tick, Ixodes cookei (Packard) in all its stages, is the most common tick found on humans and pets in Ontario. The adults usually attack rodents and small to medium-sized animals but attacks on humans do occur. Powassan encephalitis is a disease which may be transmitted by the groundhog tick but reports of this disease are extremely rare. 2. American Dog TickThe adult American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), is the second most common species encountered on humans and pets in Ontario. The preferred host of the adult tick is the dog, although it will also feed on horses and other large mammals including humans. In Canada, the American dog tick is found from Saskatchewan to the maritime provinces. These ticks sometimes enter buildings while attached to their hosts but they will not become established indoors. American dog ticks are known to transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia and tick paralysis. 3. Blacklegged Tick (Formerly known as the deer tick)The blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, has established populations in Long Point on Lake Erie and in Point Pelee National Park. During its immature stages, the blacklegged tick feeds especially on white-footed mouse but will also feed on a wide variety of small mammals and birds. Adults feed mostly on white-tailed deer but may also feed on other large mammals. The blacklegged tick is the most important vector of Lyme disease and all stages of the tick will readily feed on humans. 4. Winter TickThe winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus (Packard), is widely distributed in Canada. This species attacks horses, deer, cattle, elk and moose. In Ontario, it is found from Algonquin Park northward following the moose distribution. The winter tick rarely feeds on humans. This species requires only one host to complete its development. The larvae attach themselves to large mammals in the fall. They remain on the hosts until the following spring when they reach the adult stage and are ready to mate. Large infestations of these ticks on individual animals may cause the animals to weaken and die. 5. Brown Dog TickThe brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille), has recently become established in eastern Canada. All developmental stages of this tick feed on dogs. In temperate climates, the brown dog tick only occurs in heated buildings where dogs are kept. The feeding activity of these ticks causes blood loss and discomfort. Several canine diseases can be transmitted by these ticks. 6. Rabbit TickThe rabbit tick, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris (Packard), is widely distributed in Canada. The preferred host of the tick is rabbit, although it will also attack ground-nesting birds and small mammals. Attacks on livestock or man are rare. The rabbit tick is important in maintaining Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia amongst wild animals. EFFECTS OF TICK BITESTick bites usually cause irritation of the skin and swelling only. However, if some of the tick's mouthparts remain in the skin, the wound usually becomes infected. Occasionally, an infection may become severe enough that it may lead to blood poisoning. Tick bites on humans usually occur one at a time. Livestock and wild animals, however, may be infested with many ticks at once. Feeding by large numbers of ticks can lead to anaemia, unthriftiness or emaciation. Some animals become weakened and die. TICK-BORNE DISEASES OF HUMANSA small percentage of the members of tick populations carry diseases. The diseases are transferred from host to host by the blood-feeding activity of the ticks. The following tick-borne diseases have been reported to occur in Canada: Rocky Mountain spotted fever The American dog tick can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a rickettsial disease (Rickettsia rickettsii), to humans in central and eastern North America. The initial symptoms of this disease, which can occur anytime from 2-14 days after the tick bite, are headaches, intense aching in the lumbar region and marked malaise. A rash appears on the wrists and ankles and then spreads to other parts of the body. A fever of 40 °C may occur in cases that are more pathogenic. If symptoms occur, one should see a physician. TularemiaTularemia, or rabbit fever, is a bacterial disease of rodents which sometimes affects man and other large mammals. It is caused by the bacterium, Francisella tularensis. Deer flies and ticks are important vectors of this disease. In eastern Canada, the American dog tick is usually responsible for transmitting this disease. Pain and fever occur soon after the tick bite. The lymph glands become swollen and inflamed. The fever may last up to 6 weeks, with the patient recovering slowly. Tick ParalysisTick paralysis is a disease which may be transmitted by the American dog tick and some Ixodes species. The feeding activity of one female tick, usually at the back of the head, can cause symptoms in less than 6 days. A neurotoxin, secreted by the salivary glands during feeding, is responsible for the symptoms. The first symptom to occur is a numbness of the feet and legs. The patient also experiences difficulties in walking. This is followed by a numbness of the hands and arms. The throat muscles and tongue may become partially paralyzed. Death from respiratory failure may occur if the tick is not removed in time. Recovery is rapid if the tick is removed soon after attachment. Lyme DiseaseLyme disease is caused by a coiled bacterium called a spirochaete. This spirochaete, Borrelia burgdorferi, is usually maintained in populations of mice. The tick most often responsible for transmitting the disease to other animals, including humans, is the blacklegged tick. A growing bull's eye rash centred at the site of the bite is an important first symptom of Lyme disease. Other early symptoms of the disease include fatigue, headaches, stiffness in the muscles, joints, or the neck, jaw discomfort, fever or swollen glands. Later symptoms include skin rashes, arthritis, neurological disorders and cardiac disease. CONTROLSControl of ticks in an infested area is extremely difficult due to their tremendous reproductive potential, their habits, and their habitat. However, preventative measures against tick attack can be taken.
Source: http://www.uoguelph.ca/pdc/Factsheets/Other/Ticks.htm
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