Scientific name: Ixodes scapularis Family: Ixodidae Order: Ixodida Risk level: Very high Category: Crawling pests
? What is a blacklegged tick
The deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) is the primary vector of Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) in North America, the world's most widespread tick-borne disease. It is very small (the larva is pinhead-sized) and reddish-brown with a distinctive black back. Personal prevention is more important than spraying.
Blacklegged tick life cycle
Its three-stage life cycle (larva, nymph and adult) takes 2–3 years. Each stage requires one blood meal to mature.
Where blacklegged ticks occur
They occur in several regions. Medically important species are found in the Gulf, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the MENA region.
Damage and risks associated with blacklegged ticks
Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) causes a characteristic ring-shaped rash, followed by chronic systemic, joint and neurological symptoms. Other listed diseases include babesiosis (Babesia microti), anaplasmosis and spotted fever in some regions.
Signs of blacklegged ticks
Signs include a tick attached to a person or animal, a raised temperature and itching at the attachment site, and exposure to grassy or wooded environments or animals.
Where blacklegged ticks are found
They occur at forest edges, in tall grass, among decaying leaf litter, and in transition areas between woodland and grass.
Blacklegged tick control methods
Check people and animals after visits to risk areas. Wear long sleeves. Use DEET or permethrin repellents. Check pets regularly.
Blacklegged tick control products
Use permethrin to treat clothing and animal environments, fipronil for pets, and ivermectin for livestock.
Food-facility control requirements
FSSC/BRCGS: ticks in outdoor areas of food facilities pose a health risk to workers and must be documented in the occupational risk assessment.
A fact about blacklegged ticks
The deer tick passes through a “three-host” journey, feeding on three different hosts over 2–3 years: a white-footed mouse as a larva, a deer as a nymph, and a human or deer as an adult. Disrupting any link in this cycle stops Lyme disease transmission.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What should I do if I find a tick on my body?
A: Remove it immediately with fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp it near the skin by the head and pull slowly and steadily. Do not twist, burn or apply anything to it. Keep it for identification.
Q: Is every tick bite dangerous?
A: No. Most tick bites are harmless, but some species transmit serious diseases. Prompt removal is important; most pathogens need 24–48 hours of attachment to transmit
