One more #Tick post, then I'll be moving onto other topics...

#TickIdentification: #NorthAmerica

"Tick Identification is extremely important for a number of reasons; the most important of which, is figuring out what pathogens a tick may carry (and transmit). While it’s typically much easier to identify an adult tick, immature ticks can also transmit diseases.

Of the 800+ species of ticks found throughout the world, only a few are known to bite and transmit disease to humans. There are nine are found in the United States. Naturally occurring populations of the ticks described on this website do not occur in Alaska, however, the brown dog tick is endemic to Hawaii."

Learn more (includes graphics):
https://ticksafety.com/tick-identification/

#SolarPunkSunday #TickSafety #TickIdentification #SpendTimeInNature #BeSafeOutdoors

#TickIdentification in #WashingtonState

Hard Ticks (Ixodidae)

#WesternBlackLeggedTick (Ixodes pacificus)

Western black-legged ticks can transmit Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. It can also transmit the pathogen that causes anaplasmosis. These ticks are mainly found in Western Washington as well as along the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains. They live in forested, oak savannah, or brushy areas. See CDC's map of where Ixodes pacificus has been found.

#WesternDogTick

Western dog ticks live primarily in eastern and parts of southwest Washington. They prefer woodland areas, medium height grasses and shrubs between wetlands and woods, and sunny or open areas around woods. Adult western dog ticks are common pests of dogs while larvae and nymphs prefer feeding on small mammals like rodents and rabbits.

#RockyMountainWoodTick (Dermacentor andersoni)

The Rocky Mountain wood tick’s life cycle may require up to two to three years for completion. Adult wood ticks feed primarily on large mammals while the larvae and nymphs feed on small rodents and rabbits. These ticks are found primarily on the eastern side of the state. They prefer woodland areas, medium height grasses and shrubs between wetlands and woods, and sunny or open areas along the edge of woods. Rocky Mountain wood ticks and western dog ticks look very similar to each other.


#SoftTicks (Argasidae)

Ornithodoros hermsi is the vector for tick-borne relapsing fever. Tick-borne relapsing fever is usually linked to sleeping in rustic, rodent-infested cabins in mountainous areas. Because soft ticks usually feed at night and remain attached for a very short time, most people never realize a tick bit them."

Learn more (includes photographs and resources):
https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/pests/ticks/tick-photo-gallery

#SolarPunkSunday #TickSafety #WesternUS #TickIdentification #SpendTimeInNature #BeSafeOutdoors

#Ticks of #Maine

"There are fifteen different tick species that have been found in Maine, though not all are permanent residents. Some may arrive in the state on wildlife hosts and do not establish viable populations. Other species have thrived in Maine and are now widespread throughout much of the state. The biology and ecology of ticks can vary significantly based upon species and can determine the level of threat each species poses.

The Most Commonly Encountered Tick Species of Maine:

- Blacklegged Tick or #DeerTick (Ixodes scapularis)
- American #DogTick (Dermacentor variabilis)
- #WoodchuckTick (Ixodes cookei)

Other Tick Species Found in Maine:

- Brown Dog Tick or Kennel Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)
- Gulf Coast Tick (Amblyomma maculatum)
- Ixodes angustus
- Ixodes brunneus
- Ixodes dentatus
- Ixodes gregsoni
- #LoneStarTick (Amblyomma americanum)
- Mouse Tick (Ixodes muris)
- Rabbit Tick (Haemaphysalis leporispalustris)
- Seabird Tick (Ixodes uriae)
- Squirrel Tick (Ixodes marxi)
- Winter Tick or Moose Tick (Dermacentor albipictus) "

Learn more about each species:
https://extension.umaine.edu/ticks/maine-ticks/

#SolarPunkSunday #TickIdentification #SpendTimeInNature
#BeSafeOutdoors #Ticksafety #MaineTicks #TicksInMaine