There are several kinds of ticks that can affect humans, and each one comes with its own set of diseases that they’re known to spread. Some of those ticks include the Blacklegged tick, the American dog tick and the Rocky Mountain wood tick.  Let’s take a look at some of the differences between these three.

Blacklegged Tick

These ticks are orange or brown colored with dark-colored legs. They’re around 1/8" in size.

Blacklegged ticks are also known as Deer ticks. Deer are their preferred host. However, it will still use a human as a host as well.

These ticks spread the diseases anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan encephalitis and Lyme disease.

American Dog Tick

These ticks are brown with white or grey markings. They’re around 3/16" before they feed, and 5/8" after they feed.

American dog ticks prefer dogs or other animals as hosts, but will also feed on humans.

These ticks spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. They can also cause tick paralysis.

Rocky Mountain Wood Tick

These ticks are brown in color and become grayish after feeding. They’re around 1/8" before they feed, and 5/8" after they feed.

True to its name, this tick is found in the Rocky Mountain states and prefers wooded areas.

These ticks cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia and Colorado tick fever.

If you do end up with a tick bite, it’s important to quickly remove it.  Although burning ticks off the skin is still in practice, it’s a misnomer. Burning the tick can cause an increase in saliva production.  If the tick is carrying a pathogen, you increase the likelihood of catching the disease. Tick mouth parts include two palps, two chelicerae, and one hypostome.  The hypostome is the part that it feeds with. It looks similar to a saw, with teeth on both sides.  These teeth curve toward the tick’s body, and this is the part you need use caution with while removing.

Get Lost Pest Control advises the best method for removal is using tweezers. Grab the tick by the head with sterilized tweezers, as close to the skin as possible. Pull in a straight motion. Do not twist or wiggle as you’re pulling. Once removed, clean and sanitize the bite area and dispose of the tick.  If you develop a fever, rash or any other symptoms after a tick bite, go to the doctor immediately.

Protect yourself from tick bites

To protect yourself from tick bites you should wear long clothing, such as sleeves and pants, and use an EPA-registered tick repellent.  If you’ve spent the day outdoors, check yourself for ticks after coming home.  Keep in mind that some ticks are tiny and difficult to see.  Also check your pets for ticks daily. Ticks are resistant to many types of common household pesticides.  It’s urgent that you have effective methods to eradicate ticks because of their many health concerns.