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Nymph and adult black-legged tick on a a fingertipTicks & Lyme Disease

Living with Wildlife Series

Lyme disease is a bacterial illness transmitted to humans and animals from the bite of certain ticks, particularly the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis). The nymph stage of the tick, which is active from late spring through summer, is most likely to transmit Lyme disease. Symptoms can resemble the flu, severe arthritis and even Alzheimer's disease. When caught early, Lyme disease is easily treated with antibiotics.

The Black-legged tick is a tiny tick no bigger than the head of a pin and often much smaller. Black-legged ticks (formerly called deer ticks) feed on many animals including deer, mice, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, birds and domestic animals. The disease itself is actually transmitted to ticks by mice and chipmunks not deer.

While there is evidence that an increased deer population can increase the number of deer ticks in an area, there is also good evidence that once ticks are present, reducing deer numbers often has only a slight effect on reducing the numbers of ticks. The best defense against this disease is protection against the ticks. For concerns regarding Lyme disease in Montgomery County, call 240-777-1755.

The best defense against this disease and other tick born diseases is protection from tick bites. Here are some suggestions:

  • Wear light colors, tuck pants into socks
  • Use insect repellents that specify ticks
  • If you regularly work outdoors consider long-lasting “Permethrin” repellents for clothing.
  • Because the blacklegged tick is very small, about the size of the head of a pin or smaller, it is especially important to thoroughly check for ticks after being in areas where they live.
  • Carefully remove ticks promptly – transfer of the disease usually takes at least 20 hours.

If ticks are a problem around your home you can modify your landscape to make the area less hospitable to them. Remove leaf litter, prune trees, and clear underbrush/woodpiles. Providing more sunlight can significantly reduce the number of ticks in some areas.

Black legged ticks are tiny, often no bigger than the head of a pin and often smaller.Black-legged ticks are tiny, often no bigger than the head of a pin and often smaller.

Additional Information

back to top - Last update: April 25, 2011