Ehrlich's deBugged Blog
Home  /  Mythbusters • Pest Profile  /  Mythbusters: All ticks carry Lyme disease
tick insect warning sign in forest
18 September 2019

Mythbusters: All ticks carry Lyme disease

Written by Dr. Nancy Troyano
Avatar
Mythbusters, Pest Profile Lyme disease, tick control, tick-borne disease, ticks Leave a Comment

Ticks can spread serious diseases to both people and pets. There is a lot of information out there about how to stay safe. Is all of it true? What are the real facts? Our resident doctor of entomology and author of Ask the Bug Doc, Nancy Troyano, will help you sort through some of the misinformation out there in this edition of “Mythbusters”.

Tick Myth: I was bitten by a tick and now I have Lyme disease.

Myth: Busted

You’ve found a tick on yourself and are now convinced you have Lyme disease. Don’t panic yet. Not every species of tick transmits this particular disease. Only deer ticks or black-legged ticks carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. And in most cases, an infected tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours to transmit the disease.

Even though not all ticks carry Lyme disease, it’s a good idea to get checked out by a doctor if you find a tick on you. Early symptoms of Lyme disease usually appear between three and thirty days after a tick bite. They include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. 

Lyme disease is not the only tick-borne disease you need to be concerned about. There are several other diseases transmitted by ticks. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms if you suspect you have been bitten by a tick. 

tick on grass

Other tick-borne diseases you should know about

Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Symptoms: Full body rash 2-5 days after the tick bite

Alpha Gal (red meat) allergy
Symptoms: Rash, hives, difficulty breathing, drop in blood pressure, dizziness or faintness, nausea or vomiting which usually appear 3-6 hours after eating meat

Powassan virus
Symptoms: Initial symptoms can appear 1 week to 1 month from the time of the tick bite and include fever, headache, vomiting and weakness

Anaplasmosis
Symptoms: Fever, chills, severe headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite are early signs that can appear within 1-5 days

Ehrlichiosis
Symptoms: Within the first five days you may experience fever, chills, severe headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and confusion. Up to 1 in 3 people report a rash which generally occurs more often in children.

Seniors trekking in a forest

Protect yourself from tick-borne disease

It’s important to take precautions when spending time outside to avoid the threat of tick-borne disease. Protect yourself, your family, and your pets by following the tips below:

  • Use an EPA-registered insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET.
  • Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and closed-toe shoes when outdoors.
  • Inspect yourself, your family, and pets for ticks after spending time outside.
  • Wear light-colored clothing so that ticks are easier to spot.
  • Keep your yard tick-free by removing weeds and cutting grass low.
  • Talk to your veterinarian about tick prevention for your pets.
  • When hiking, stay in the center of trails and away from vegetation.

 

Ehrlich’s experienced pest specialists can help keep you safe with barrier treatments for your yard. Contact us today to learn about our Tick Control Seasonal Plan.

Avatar
Dr. Nancy Troyano

Nancy Troyano, Training Manager / Entomologist at Rentokil North America, is responsible for leading and supporting the development and training of Rentokil technicians throughout North America. Nancy works closely with Technical Field Trainers and Line-of-Business Managers to develop and implement a comprehensive training program for new and existing technicians. Nancy joined Rentokil after receiving her PhD from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in 2009. Follow Nancy on Google+

Related Posts

  • do carpenter bees sting

    Do carpenter bees sting?

    March 20, 2020
  • decoy wasp nest

    Mythbusters: Decoy wasp nests

    March 7, 2020
  • spider spruce mite

    Spruce spider mite: the Christmas tree killer

    October 21, 2019
  • clover mite control

    “Mighty” clover mites

    October 10, 2019

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

COVID-19 disinfection services

Ehrlich’s disinfection solutions can help businesses deal with the effects of coronavirus.

Protects your business against infectious bacteria, viruses and disease.

Targeted disinfection solutions including ULV fogging and touchpoint cleaning.

A tailored service delivered in a safe, discreet and legally compliant manner.

Find out more

Need some advice?

Talk to one of our experts:

Give us a call

(888) 984-0186

Subscribe to the deBugged blog


Categories

  • Countries
  • Day in the Life
  • Debugged – the lighter side of pest control
  • Mythbusters
  • Pest Control Tips
  • Pest Profile
  • Pests in the Headlines

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

Find Us on LinkedIn

Ehrlich Pest Control

As Your Local Pest Control Experts, Ehrlich has been providing expert pest control services to homeowners and businesses since 1928. Ehrlich provides both residential and commercial pest control through a network of 40 plus community based offices.

Reading. PA 3,500+ employees

© 2018 Rentokil Initial plc and subject to the conditions in the Legal Statement.

  • Current News
  • Pestaurant
  • Noises in the Attic
  • Insect Stings
  • Top 10 House Pests
  • Pestfree365 - Yearly Protection
  • Pest Proofing
  • About Ehrlich
  • Our Brands
  • Company Information
  • Green Pest Control
  • Technical Expertise
  • Careers
  • Legal Statement
  • Cookie & Privacy Policy
  • Do not sell my personal information
PestNetOnline
PestID
  • www.ambius.com www.ambius.com
  • www.initial.com www.initial.com
  • www.rentokil-steritech.com www.rentokil-steritech.com
  • www.rentokil-initial.com www.rentokil-initial.com