Black-Legged Tick Information
Appearance:
The Black-Legged tick, also known as a deer tick, is a tick with a hard body. They are very small, measuring about 1/8”. The young nymph ticks are even smaller, about the size of a pinhead. Adult Black-Legged ticks have black legs and their bodies are a lighter shade of black or brown.
Location and Behavior Patterns:
This type of tick is found in fields and in woods where wild animals live, and where people often hike, camp, or explore the wilderness. The Black-Legged tick will feed on wild animals, as well as family pets and on people, too. They feed on the blood of their host. This type of tick and many ticks is known for carrying the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, and if you are bitten, it is important to treat the area carefully and proactively.
Treatment:
In order to remove a tick that is attached to your skin, it is important that you do so slowly, in order to ensure the removal of the entire tick. Using sharp-edged tweezers will enable you to grab the tick at the very base of its’ head, and slowly pull the tick away from your skin. The area should then be cleansed thoroughly, and a visit to the doctor’s office is probably a good idea, especially if flu-like symptoms occur, following the tick bite. A bite from a Black-Legged tick may be very painful.
Treatment of your property may be required, especially if you suspect an infestation of ticks.
