West Virginia Tick Information

M. P. Culik
WVU Extension Service
Program Specialist -Pest Management
1999

Ticks are parasitic blood-feeding arthropods in the order Acari. Ticks are of concern because of their potential to transmit diseases to humans and other animals. The purpose of this note is to summarize records of ticks sent to us (J. F. Baniecki and M. P. Culik) for identification by West Virginia clientele in the past two years and present information on the tick species received most frequently and of most concern.

The tick species most frequently received was the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Table 1). About one-half of the ticks identified were American dog ticks. The second most common tick species found was Ixodes cookei. Four records of the blacklegged (deer) tick, Ixodes scapularis, were received (Table 1). Identifications of the ticks received were made or confirmed by Dr. James Amrine and Dr. John Hall, WVU.

Besides the ticks listed in Table 1, many other species of ticks occur on wild and domestic animals in West Virginia and may occasionally be found on humans (Hall et al. 1991). Different tick species and individuals within species vary in appearance depending on life stage (larva, nymph, adult), sex, and whether or not they have fed (engorged). Tick species also vary in habits (common or preferred hosts) that also may vary depending on the life stage of the tick (Table 1). Therefore, accurate identification of tick species depends on experience and keys such as Sonenshine (1979) and Keirans and Litwak (1989) as well as specific information on when and where the tick was found.

Table 1. Tick Pest Identification Records, April 1995 to February 1997, M. P. Culik and J. F. Baniecki, West Virginia University Extension Service, Morgantown.

Tick identifications were made or confirmed by Dr. James Amrine and Dr. John Hall, West Virginia University.

Health Concerns

Not all ticks carry disease organisms so the danger of ticks should not be exaggerated. However, disease transmission by ticks is possible. For example: The American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, is a principle vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Ixodes cookei may be a potential vector of Lyme disease (Hall et al. 1991). And, the blacklegged (deer) tick, Ixodes scapularis, is the principle vector of Lyme disease in the eastern United States. The best way to avoid ticks and tick-borne disease is through knowledge and precautions.

Disease Symptoms

Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease are easier to treat if detected early. Symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease include:

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

First symptoms: severe headache, chills, fever and general aches and pains.

In a few days (most cases): a rash of reddish-purple or black spots on soles, ankles, palms, wrists, and forearms. This rash may later spread to the trunk, neck, and face.

At the end of a week, without treatment: infected individuals may become highly agitated, develop insomnia, become delirious, or go into a coma (Drummond 1990).

Lyme Disease

Typical early symptom (about 70% of cases): a slowly expanding red rash at the site of the tick bite. The rash usually appears within seven to thirty days after the bite and can slowly expand over several days. Multiple, secondary skin rashes sometimes occur.

Other common early symptoms, with or without the rash: flu-like symptoms including fatigue, headache, neck stiffness, jaw discomfort, pain or stiffness in muscles or joints, slight fever, swollen glands, or reddening of the eyes.

Later stages, if untreated: joints, heart, and the central nervous system can be involved.

Some redness at the site of a tick bite may be normal sensitivity to the bite itself (if uncertain, contact a doctor).

Pregnant or nursing women who have been bitten by a tick or who develop a rash or flu-like symptoms should contact their doctor (Pfizer Central Research).

Prevention (Avoiding Ticks and Tick-borne disease)

Some suggestions for avoiding ticks and tick-borne disease include:

1. Be aware of and, when possible, avoid tick habitats such as tall grass, bushes, brush, and woods.
2. If you go into a tick habitat, dress properly. Appropriate clothing includes shoes, a hat, long- sleeved shirt, and long pants tucked into socks. Tick repellants on the outside of clothing may be helpful.
3. Check for and remove any ticks on you and your family members as soon as possible after leaving a tick habitat. Brush off your clothing before coming indoors. Inside, remove clothing and check for and remove any ticks.
4. If an attached tick is found, remove the tick and monitor the bite area. Be alert to early tick-borne disease symptoms such as rash or flu-like symptoms.
5. Check pets for ticks and use tick-control pet products.

Tick Removal

Ticks should be removed as soon as possible after discovery.

However, you should avoid touching the tick. Take care in removing ticks to avoid breaking off mouthparts inserted in the skin and to avoid crushing or puncturing the tick, which could lead to infection.

1. Protect hands with a tissue or gloves.
   Remove with care to avoid breaking off the mouthparts or crushing/puncturing the tick:
2. Gently grasp the tick where its mouth parts enter the skin. Use a tick-removing device or fine-point tweezers. Do not squeeze the tick's body.
3. Tug the tick gently and repeatedly until the tick releases its hold by withdrawing its barbed mouth part from the skin. Be patient, proper removal takes time.
4. Save the tick alive for identification (see below), or kill and save in alcohol.
5. After removal, wash the site of attachment and your hands with soap and water. Apply an antiseptic to the site.
6. Monitor the bite area and be alert to early tick borne disease symptoms such as rash or flu-like symptoms
7. Consult a doctor if any unusual symptoms (skin rash or flu-like symptoms) occur after being bitten by a tick.
8. Pregnant or nursing women who have been biten by a tick or who develop a rash or flu like symptoms should contact thier doctor.

Tick Identification

Contact your county extension agent, your local health department, or the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health (304/558-2971) if you want to have a tick identified.

Undamaged specimens are required for accurate identification of ticks. It is recommended that ticks be saved alive. This will permit identification and will also permit examination for bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Ticks can be saved alive by placing them in a bottle with a moist piece of paper (Apply one or two drops of water on a small piece of filter paper or paper towel. It is important that the paper be damp, but not completely saturated with water.) Make sure the container has a tight-fitting lid, and seal the container in a plastic bag to help prevent the possible escape of the ticks if they are sent in the mail. Also, indicate the total number of ticks in the container. (Do not put ticks from different hosts or sources in the same container.)

Ticks may also be killed and saved in alcohol for identification. Complete collection data is very important for identification of ticks and should include:

1. Name, address, phone number of person submitting specimen.
2. City, county, state where tick was collected.
3. Date tick was collected.
4. Name of person who collected the tick.
5. Where was tick found: on animal host? or elsewhere?
6. Host information:

On what type of animal was tick found (name, age, and sex, if human)?
Where on person or animal was tick found (the body location of the bite)?
Was it attached (feeding)?
How long do you think the tick was attached before removal?

7. Additional information regarding where host may have acquired the tick (specific habitat: woods, field; as well as specific locale: town, county, state). Did the person or animal harboring the tick travel outside the state or to another West Virginia county within the past two weeks? If so, where?

Additional Information About Ticks:

Pfizer Central Research has produced a pamphlet "Lyme Disease" summarizing information on Lyme disease and its prevention. Copies of the publication are available from:

John Baniecki or Mark Culik
West Virginia University Extension Service
P.O. Box 6057, Morgantown, WV 26506
Tel.: (304) 293-3911, E-Mail: mculik@wvu.edu

Acknowledgement

Information on ticks can also be obtained from Dr. James Amrine and Dr. John Hall at the following addresses:

Dr. James Amrine
West Virginia University Division of Plant and Soil Sciences
PO Box 6108
Morgantown WV 26506
Telephone: (304)293-6023

Dr. John Hall
West Virginia University
School of Medicine
PO Box 9177
Morgantown, WV 26506
Telephone (304)293-4759

Tick information is also available on the Internet. For example, the address for the University of Rhode Island Tick Research Laboratory home page, which provides links to related sites on the Internet, is: http://www.uri.edu/artsci/zool/ticklab/

References:

Drummond, R. 1990. Ticks and what you can do about them. Wilderness Press, Berkeley, CA.

Hall J. E., J. W. Amrine, Jr., R. D. Gais, V. P. Kolanko, B. E. Hagenbuch, V. F. Gerencser, and S. M. Clark. 1991. Parasitism of humans in West Virginia by Ixodes cookei (Acari: Ixodidae),(a potential vector of Lyme borreliosis.) J. Med. Entomol. 28:186-189.

Keirans, J. E. and T. R. Litwak. 1989. Pictorial key to the adults of hard ticks, family Ixodidae (Ixodida: Ixodoidea), east of the Mississippi River. J. Med. Entomol. 26:435-448.

Mallis, A. 1990. Handbook of pest control. Franzak & Foster, Cleveland.

Olkowski, W., S. Daar, and H. Olkowski. 1991. Common-sense pest control. Taunton, Newtown, CT.

Pfizer Central Research. undated. Lyme Disease (pamphlet). Pfizer Central Research Division, Groton, Conn.

Sonenshine, D. E. 1979. Ticks of Virginia (Acari: Metastimata). VPI&SU Res. Div. Bull. 139. Blacksburg, VA.