Lyme Disease Prevention

Ticks are small little pests that feed on the blood of their hosts. Many times we pick up these interlopers without even knowing it, and they can become firmly attached to us before we find them. Before you simply pull that tick off and go on with your life know that these small creatures can carry bacterial and viral infections that can leave you very sick.
You need to know the difference between the types of ticks, and take the proper precautions to avoid them. You should also learn the signs of tick borne illnesses so you can seek medical treatment as early as possible.

1. Deer Ticks

The deer tick may also be referred to as a black leg tick. It is most commonly found in the northern portions of the United States. They are reddish brown in color. The adults will be about one eighth of an inch in length. They can carry Lyme disease, the Powassan virus and ercholosis. You find them in wooded areas and in grasses like in your back yard.

2. Brown Dog Ticks

These ticks are brown just as their name implies. They are found all across the United States. These ticks will grow indoors. They hide in pet bedding, in carpets, and in cracks around baseboards, and floorboards. You are less likely to be bitten by one of these ticks, and they are not known to carry as many harmful bacteria.

3. American Dog Ticks

Do not let the name fool you. This tick will bite humans as well as dogs. You can find these ticks all over the United States and they are known to be carriers of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. They are reddish brown in color and they get to be about one half an inch in length when they are mature. These ticks have also been associated with tick paralysis and rabbit fever.

4. Lone Star Ticks

These ticks are most commonly found in central Texas. As an adult, they will be brown and tan in color and reach a length of one third of an inch. All female Lone Star ticks have a white spot on their back. They have been known to spread ehrlichiosis and tularemia. They are also connected with the spread of the heartland Virus.

5. Rocky Mountain Wood Ticks

These ticks are found in Canada and in the northwestern portion of the United States. They are mocha colored little pests that bite any type of animals, rodents, and people. They have been known to spread Colorado tick fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and even tick paralysis.

6. Gulf Coast Ticks

These pecan colored creatures can be found on the gulf coast, but they have also been found as far inland as Oklahoma. They have been known to carry rickettsia parkeri. This disease is like Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The bite from these ticks may resemble a pimple instead of the normal red ring that other tick bites leave.

7. Western black leg ticks

These ticks are found in the western portions of the United States and when they bite you it hurts. These ticks often carry Lyme disease.