Ticks, Spiders, and Biting Mites

What are ticks (Order Ixodida)?

Ticks are small to medium-sized blood-feeding, ectoparasitic, arachnids that bite mammals, birds and reptiles. When ticks bite to obtain blood there is always a possibility of transmitting certain diseases like Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and many others.

Preventing tick bites and diseases

Ticks are active during spring, summer and fall. Immature ticks are frequently encountered in grassy areas where young ticks crawl to the tips of grass blades or similar vegetation and wait for a host animal to wander by. Once on the host animal they quickly locate a suitable feeding spot, pierce the skin and begin feeding. Ticks remain attached until feeding is complete many hours later. Ticks that have feed and are full of blood are called "engorged".

Certain insect repellents are also effective against ticks and should be worn by hikers, hunters, gardeners and others that spend time outdoors in grassy or brushy areas. Both DEET-containing lotions and permethrin-based fabric sprays work well.

Protect pets against tick bites with flea and tick medications like Frontline Top Spot. Flea and tick shampoos are only moderately effective and have limited residual activity. Flea collars are moderately effective but not as good as the topically-applied medications like Frontline.

The most important point to remember is this: promptly remove ticks when they are found whether on people or pets. Research has shown that disease transmission occurs many hours after ticks begin feeding. Therefore, if you promptly remove ticks you significantly reduce the possibility of getting sick.

Spiders (Order Araneae)

Spiders are predators of other arthropods. Most are harmless but a few have a bite that is venomous to humans. In the US the best known venomous species are the brown recluse spider, hobo spider (aggressive house spider), and widow spiders.

Biting mites

A number of very small mites may bite and cause skin lesions. Biting mites (pdf) occur in very specific habitats such as bird and rodent nests. If you avoid contact with these habitats you'll avoid their bites. Some mites that are parasitic on other arthropods occasionally bite people.