Common
ticks in Southern California
Ticks are little guys
with big problems. Many species of ticks reside throughout California however
the three most common ticks are distant cousins in the Ixodes family
that includes, Ixodes Pacificus (Western Black Legged Tick), Dermacentor
variabilis (American Wood Tick) andDermacentor occidentalis (Pacific
Coast Tick). These ticks are found in moist coastal regions, the Sierra
foothills and central valley.
Ticks scout out their hosts by crawling up
vegetation near a trail and wait with arms extended on a well-placed grass stem
or leaf. When an unintentional animal or human passes by, they climb onto them.
Once onboard, ticks literally dig in to the host’s using their needle like
mouthparts to puncture the skin and obtain a blood meal.
Although some ticks
can cause an intense inflammatory reaction, the tick itself does not cause the
severe illnesses associated with ticks. Bacteria living within the tick’s gut are
transmitted to the host when the tick draws blood. These bacteria are
responsible for debilitating illnesses such as Lyme disease,Tularemia and Rickettsia.
Ixodes Pacificus commonly known as the Western Black
Legged Tick is widely distributed in hardwood forests, woodlands within the
leaf litter and open habitats such as grasslands. This tick has a lifecycle and
appearance typical of ticks in the Ixodes family. The tick has four life
stages, egg, nymph, larvae and adult, of which nymphs and adults are capable of
transmitting disease. Nymphs look like a poppy seed with four legs and a
translucent belly. Unfed adult females are 0.12 inches long with eight legs and
a dark brown plate covering a light reddish back. Feeding ticks can expand up
to 150% of their body size. This tick is best known for harboring the
corkscrewed bacterium, Borrelia burgorferi responsible for
Lyme disease. Colorado tick fever, Q fever and tularemia are also associated
but less likely.
Dermacentor
occidentalis also known as
the Pacific Coast Tick is distributed throughout California. These ticks harbor
the bacterium Rickettsia rickets the disease causing agent of
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Tularemia, Colorado Tick Fever and the newly
discovered 364D Rickettsiosis are equally associated with D.occidentalis.
Dermacentor variabilis, known as the American Wood Tick, is
widespread in the US, Canada and Mexico. Notorious hotspots in California are
the Coastal areas, Eastern Sierra range and central valley. These ticks carry Anaplasma
phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia chaffeensis- causative
agents of ehrlichiosis.
Rhipicephalus
sanguineus also known as
the Brown Dog Tick, is unique in that it can complete its entire lifecycle
indoors using dogs as it's preferred host. These ticks
are disease vectors forEhrlichia canis and Babesia canis.
If you or your pet is
bitten by a tick- remove it immediately. Ixodes Pacificus transmits
its bacterial friend, B.burgdorferi after two days of feeding
whereas other tick-borne agents can be transmitted within the first day. Ticks
are best removed with tweezers or a tick key, but fingers (no squashing!) can
also work. Remove the tick by pulling steadily and straight-out, being sure to
remove the mouthpiece. Applying alcohol, fingernail polish, petroleum jelly or
heat from a lighted match is basically ineffective. However be sure to clean
and disinfect the puncture wound. It is also a good idea to contact your
physician or veterinarian. Resist the urge to smash the tick so it can be
identified and tested for tick borne agents.
If you or your pet
begin to display signs of illness such as lethargy, joint pain, rash or
enlarged lymph nodes- see your doctor or veterinarian immediately. Untreated
tick associated diseases have the potential to damage your heart, vision,
respiratory system and mental acuity.