The American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis) is the most common of the 12 species found in Ohio.
A. Adult Female
B. Adult Female
C. Adult Male
Note the difference in size and coloring between the two female ticks. Females have a light and dark pattern on their 1/3-body length shield, while the male has it down its full-body length shield. Source LINK to The Lyme Disease Foundation
Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Ehrlichia are the most common serious diseases transmitted by ticks. The CDC mentions 11 types of ticks. Lyme Disease Foundation LINK
West Nile Virus is the most common serious disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Ohio Human cases: LINK Other mosquito-transmitted diseases in Ohio include La Crosse encephalitis, Eastern Equine encephalitis and St. Louis encephalitis
The most effect prevention of tick related diseases, is the prompt SAFE removal the tick.
The ONLY safe removal method of a tick is with a blunt tweezers, or a commercial tick removal tool where complete removal of the tick along with it's mouth parts is accomplished in a slow gentle manor. LINK
One elegantly simple tool "Ticked Off" is available locally at "PetCo" stores. It can be used for humans and animals. It is included in an OSU study on tick removal tools: LINK
Additionally a unique citrus based liquid product called "Tick Release" is advertised as an effect and safe method to assist in tick removal. Application weakens the ticks grip, with 25% ticks falling off on their own. It can be used for humans and animals. LINK and another similar product LINK
ALL other tick removal methods including heat sources, and liquid smothering (other than "Tick Removal" above) are NO LONGER considered safe.
Great care should be taken to not squeeze the body of the tick.
After removal, wound should be cleaned with an antiseptic.
Ticks should not be touched with bare hands.
Removed ticks should be saved in plastic bag with damp paper towel or grass blades to help keep it alive for testing if necessary. Identify bag with person's name, time of probable exposure and time of removal.
Ticks do NOT jump. They are often found on tall uncut grasses. American dog ticks prefer overgrown vacant lots, waste farm fields, weedy roadsides, and edges of paths and hiking trails.
Adult American dog ticks are most abundant from mid-April to mid-July.
Some ticks can detect humans and animals up 18 feet away.
Ticks will often climb to hair line edges on the body including the head.
Tick bites are seldom felt. Close visual inspection of the entire body is required.
Light colored clothing with pants tucked into socks are recommended when in a known infected area.
Deer Flies are another geocacher pest that deserves attention here. They tend to attach to moving targets, and unlike ticks and mosquitoes, you KNOW when they are biting you!
For more information, read this article from the Ohio State University: Horse and Deer Flies HYG-2115-98
Source for Deer Fly Patch as mentioned in the article.
DEET and Permethrin are the most effective proven and established repellents against ticks, mosquitoes and deer flies.
More recently, Picaridin LINK has also been proven effective against mosquito's and ticks. However reports are, that it is not effective for deer flies. For ticks, the CDC says, "Picaridin has limited data published for tick repellent, but it may provide suitable protection." Currently, concentrations of 7% and 15% are available in the U.S. The 7% concentration requires reapplication every 3 to 4 hours, while the 15% concentration lasts much longer. (Also known as AutanÂ®, BayrepelÂ®, Hepidanin, Icaridin, KRB 3023, and Propidin.) Note that 'Autan Portection Plus' is available online from overseas sources which contain 20% Icaridin. Also note that ''Autan Active Tropical' is not the same and contains DEET.
Picaridin based repellents seem hard to find locally. After shopping around I finally found "Cutter Advanced" (7%) and "Cutter Advanced Sport" (15%) available at Home Depot & Target.
DEET and Picaridin can be used on skin or clothing.
Permethrin must be used only on clothing.
Repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus are only effective against mosquitoes and are only equivalent to lower DEET concentrations.
Higher DEET percentage mean longer effectiveness, not increase effectiveness. Although higher concentration may be better for those who are more prone to insect bites.
Percentages of 25% or greater are often recommended to be more effective for repelling ticks.
10% DEET provides approximately 3 to 4 hours of protection.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that products used on children 13 and under should contain no more than 10% DEET. This translates to more frequent application. Picaridin is probably a safer alternative to use on children, and possibly for adults too.