TICKS IN

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.

DESCRIPTION

Ticks 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.

Habitat and Characteristics

Hard 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 a larvae 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 Ticks

The groundhog tick during all life 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.
The 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.
The black-legged tick also known as deer tick has established populations in Long Point on Lake Erie and in Point Pelee National Park. During its immature stages, the black-legged 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 black-legged tick is the most important vector of Lyme disease and all stages of the tick will readily feed on humans.
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

The Tick Bite’s Effects

Tick bites usually cause irritation of the skin and swelling only. However, if some of the tick’s mouth-parts 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 anemia, unthriftiness or emaciation. Some animals become weakened and die.

Diseases that are transmitted by Ticks to Humans

A 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.

Tularemia, 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 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 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 black-legged tick. A growing bull’s eye rash centered 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.

Prevention from Ticks

  • Avoid tick infested areas if possible.
  • Wear protective clothing (e.g.. secure trouser cuffs inside boots and leggings to prevent ticks from gaining access to legs).
  • Check your body thoroughly for ticks as well inspect your pets before they enter the house.
    If ticks are found embedded in the skin, try to remove them with care using small tweezers. Grab the tick with the tweezers near the mouth parts that entered the skin. Hold firmly. Gently tug them a few times until the tick relinquished its hold. Try not to kill the tick before it has been removed. Treat the bite wound with antiseptic to avoid infection, and save the tick in a jar labeled with the date and location, in case complications arise.
  • An insect repellent containing DEET sprayed on the clothes is also effective at repelling ticks.

Dog Tick Extermination Technique and its Advantages:

We utilize the most effective insecticide Spray treatments available from industry leading pesticides manufactures. These pesticide are highly effective and contain most powerful active ingredients. We employ the Spray method to Control, and Exterminate the Dog Tick infestations.

Some of the Characteristics of the Spray method are:

  • It is the best option when there is no Bait available for a given Pest. A targeted application of Control Agents in selected areas of the structure is undertaken. In cases of high infestations, spraying upon the pests produces a spectacular knock down.
  • Areas that are targeted are the nesting and foraging activities areas of the Pest.
  • Dog Tick are affected by the insecticide active agent when they come into contact with the treated surfaces.
  • Dog Tick would be exterminated by getting the Active Ingredient into it’s biological system via contact. An affected pest may also prove to be a source of secondary poisoning for other members.
  • The Insecticide Spray method results in gradual, almost fool-proof and guaranteed removal of these pests.

Client’s Preparations for Insecticides Application:

  • Client is required to prepare areas to be treated with insecticide spray application.
  • Client is required to leave the property during the application and stay out for further 2 hours after the application.

Our exterminators will inspect the structure for points of vulnerabilities that may facilitate future infestations or conditions that may be helping the Dog Tick to flourish. It will be up to the property owner to act on the recommendations.

Specific Notes on Spray or Fog Application:

Spray may be Water-Based or of the Emulsion type. Even though it would not stain or damage surfaces, it may be noticeable as a thin film of light color. The film may also have oily characteristics. If it is found on any surfaces that are used by people or pets, then it should be cleaned away at the earliest. For further information, please, see our Pesticides and the MSDS page.

Expected Results and Outcome of the Treatment:

In about 3-5 weeks, all Dog Tick would have been eliminated having directly or indirectly been exposed to the insecticide sprayed. Gradually Dog Tick would simply cease to exist. It remains possible that some Dog Tick may expire near human living spaces.

At Quest Pest Management Inc., we have the highest success rate of complete elimination of Dog Tick with one treatment alone.

Prior to carrying out treatment for Dog Tick, we will do an inspection or survey of the property to determine the extent and scope of the infestation. In doing so, we will also obtain information from people present on site.