Tick Basics
What Are Ticks?
Ticks are a growing health threat throughout Illinois. Although you may be most familiar with the blacklegged deer tick that can transmit Lyme disease, others, such as the Lone Star tick, American dog tick, and Gulf Coast tick, continue to gain momentum. So what are ticks, exactly?
With eight legs, ticks are arachnids and relatives of the spider. They have segmented bodies comprised of two parts, and they’re wingless and unable to chew.
Ticks use their needle-like mouthparts to feed on the warm blood of living hosts (animals and humans) as their primary food source. The world is home to roughly 900 tick species, with new varieties continuing to surface. In Illinois, the species of disease-causing ticks that have been found are:
Blacklegged deer tick
American dog tick
Brown dog tick
Lone Star tick
Gulf Coast tick
Soft ticks
Ticks can carry a variety of diseases, the most well-known of which is Lyme disease. But they can also transmit a range of other pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites, making them a significant public health concern.
Ticks come in various sizes and can be as small as the size of an apple seed or poppy seed. Their size depends on their species, life stage, and whether they’ve fed recently. Larvae and nymph ticks tend to be smaller than adult ticks, with some of the smallest ones difficult to spot without magnification. Generally, female ticks are larger than males.
Where Do Ticks Live?
Ticks can be found in a wide range of habitats throughout Illinois and the United States. Wooded areas are an ideal environment for ticks to live; the dense vegetation provides numerous hiding spots and hosts to feed on. Tall grasses and meadows are also common habitats for ticks, offering a combination of shade, moisture, and plenty of warm-blooded animals such as rodents and deer for meals.
Additionally, ticks reside in both suburban and urban areas — you may encounter them in local parks, beaches, walking and hiking paths, campgrounds, and more. Ultimately, ticks are adaptable and can thrive in a variety of habitats, making it crucial for individuals to become tick aware and take precautions when outdoors.
Do Ticks Carry Disease?
Ticks in Illinois are known to carry a range of diseases that can pose serious health risks to humans. Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-borne illnesses in the state, caused by the bite of a blacklegged tick infected with the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. In the acute stages of the disease, a person may experience symptoms such as fever, fatigue, joint pain, and a bulls-eye rash. But other species of borrelia, including Borrelia miyamotoi have been discovered in Illinois and also cause Lyme-like symptoms — which can add some challenges to obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
Additionally, other tick-borne diseases found in Illinois include other coinfections such as anaplasma, babesia, and ehrlichia, all which can result in flu-like symptoms and, if left untreated, may lead to severe complications. Cases of a meat allergy and an allergy to other mammalian products called alpha-gal syndrome are also on the rise. The life-threatening allergy comes from the bite of a Lone Star tick.
How Do I Prevent Tick Bites?
Implementing tick-prevention strategies is a must for anyone wanting to reduce their chances of getting a tick bite. Taking a few simple precautions can help you enjoy the outdoors during tick season and beyond.
Avoid wooded and grassy areas where ticks are commonly found, especially during peak tick season (typically from spring through fall but can occur whenever temperatures are above freezing).
Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, closed-toe shoes, and tuck your pants into your socks for an additional layer of protection.
Treat outdoor clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin; permethrin is an insecticide, which kills ticks. You can also purchase permethrin-treated clothing from several outdoors retailers, either online or in the store.
Apply insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET to exposed skin and clothing to further deter ticks.
Perform regular tick checks on yourself and your pets after spending time outdoors. Paying close attention to areas such as the scalp, underarms, and groin.
Remove any attached ticks with fine-tipped tweezers to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
By following these preventive measures, you can greatly reduce your chances of experiencing tick bites and the potential health risks associated with tick-borne illnesses.
What Do I Do If I Find a Tick Bite?
If you have a tick bite, it's crucial to act promptly and carefully to lower the risk of Lyme disease transmission. First, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible. Slowly and steadily, pull upward with even pressure. Avoid twisting and squeezing the tick, smearing it with with Vaseline or essential oils, or burning it. Once removed, clean the bite area and your hands thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Save the tick in a container or plastic baggie with a moist cotton ball for potential identification or testing. Keep tabs on any unusual symptoms, such as a distinctive rash or flu-like symptoms, and consult a health care professional if any concerns arise. Remember, early detection and proper tick removal are crucial in preventing the spread of Lyme disease. If you have questions or concerns about early Lyme treatment, talk with your doctor to discuss your options.
Free Tick Identification Program
We’ve partnered with the INHS Medical Entomology Lab at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign to provide a free tick identification and surveillance program for Illinois residents. The information obtained from this program will help provide expert identification and preservation of tick species throughout Illinois. Your photos and physical samples of ticks strengthen our statewide tick surveillance program and help to inform our understanding of where and when different ticks occur in Illinois. For more details on this statewide program, visit the INHS Medical Entomology Lab.
