THE TICK                                                                                        

HEALTH THREAT: Capable of spreading diseases, such as Lyme Disease-symptons include: lameness, swollen joints, fever, poor appetite, fatigue and vomiting.  In large numbers, a tick attack can result in paralysis or even death for small or elderly animals.

PROPERTY THREAT: Minimal to none. Ticks do not infest homes, but they do carry dangerous diseases and are harder to find.

           There are various species of ticks that are distinct by their color, but most ticks feed on blood. Often, ticks can be found near lush, wooded areas, where some species will perch on tall blades of grass or plants waiting to latch onto a passing host. Some species stalk from ground level, emerging from cracks and crevices in the woods or even inside a home or kennel. These ground based ticks can attack in numbers up to 3,000 at a time. These large attacks can result in various diseases, paralysis and even death for animals, especially elderly dogs and puppies.

           Traits of a Tick

           Adult ticks are typically visible with the naked eye and are slightly smaller than a sunflower seed.

           When engorged with blood, adult ticks can be 1/8- to 5/8-inch long.

           Larva has six legs, fully grown ticks have eight legs

           Body: Texture similar to leather 

TICKS FAQs

             How do ticks feed?

          Ticks cling to one spot on a host and do not move for several hours or days, while they slowly engorge themselves with blood.

               How do ticks travel?

           Ticks can neither jump nor fly, they usually crawl to the top of tall grass and fall onto an unsuspecting host passing by.