Commonly found in the Eastern United States, the Black-Legged Tick adult sits on low plant vegetation (shrubs, ferns, flowers) until a potential host animal walks by. With its front legs outstretched, it clings onto whatever it can: fur, tail, clothing, etc. It then crawls to to warmer parts of the body because blood is closer to the surface in those areas. It will bite the victim without pain as its saliva has an anesthetic chemical in it that numbs the bite site. It will drawn a blood meal from the host until it is engorged with blood and the abdomen will expand in size, turning redder in color. Ticks may feed on a host for days. Their barbed feeding tube helps keep them latched on more securely.
It is during feeding that the Lyme Disease causing bacteria can pass from the tick into the host (deer, human, mouse, etc.). The longer the tick has to feed, the greater the opportunity for the bacteria to move and infect. Because of this, The Center for Disease Control in the U.S. suggests people who finds ticks on themselves are encouraged to remove them as soon as possible. Because the infecting vector may be in the feeding tube, even if the tick is crushed or decapitated, it may still transmit the bacteria. Complete removal of the tick within 24 hours of the initial bite can reduce possible infection according to the CDC. If you have been bitten by a Black-Legged Tick, seek medical attention and get tested for Lyme Disease. Early treatment for Lyme Disease aids in better managing its symptoms.
All Ticks are arachnids, not insects. They have eight legs so counting legs of a creature crawling on you can aid in identifying them quickly. Males appear as a dark brown or even black coloring while females feature orange coloring. Tick nymphs are most active during the spring and summer months, when a majority of potential hosts are also most active.
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