#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