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How to Avoid Ticks: A Hunter’s Guide to Tick Prevention

How to Avoid Ticks: A Hunter’s Guide to Tick Prevention

February 29th, 2024

When you’re out in the wild, enjoying the thrill of the hunt, the last thing you want to think about is ticks. These tiny arachnids can be more than just a nuisance; they can carry diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. To keep your hunting and outdoor adventures safe and enjoyable, here’s a guide on ticks, what to do if you are bitten by a tick, and how to avoid ticks.

Turkey hunter walking through prime tick habitat. turkey hunters need to be especially aware of ticks because ticks are most active when the weather warms up in the spring and hunters often walk through or sit in areas infested with ticks.

All About Ticks

Before we dive in on strategies to avoid ticks, it’s important to understand what ticks are, their life cycle, and their habitat.

Ticks are parasitic arachnids that feed on the blood of their host. Adult ticks are approximately 3-5mm in length, depending on the species and “fullness”. They locate potential hosts by sensing odor, body heat, moisture, or vibrations in the environment.

Tick Life Cycle

Ticks undergo a complex life cycle that typically involves four stages – egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Ticks require a blood meal from their host at each developmental stage (except for the egg) to progress to the next stage.

Egg Stage: This life cycle begins when an adult female tick lays a batch of eggs in leaf litter or soil. The number of eggs varies among species and can range from a few hundred to several thousand.
Larva Stage: Once the eggs hatch, the emerging larvae are commonly referred to as “seed ticks” and are very small and have six legs. They are typically not host-specific and feed on the blood of small animals like rodents or birds. After feeding, the larvae drop off their host and molt to the nymph stage.
Nymph Stage: Nymphs have eight legs and are larger than the larva. Similar to the larval stage, nymphs seek a host for a blood meal. After feeding, nymphs drop off their host, molt, and enter the next stage of adulthood.
Adult Stage: Adult ticks have eight legs and are larger than nymphs. Depending on the species, adult ticks might have a specific host preference like deer or dogs. After feeding, mating often occurs on the host, and the fertilized female drops off to lay eggs, completing the life cycle.

The time it takes to complete the life cycle varies among tick species, environmental conditions, and the availability of hosts. Some ticks complete their life cycle in a few months, while others may take several years.

Tick Habitats

Ticks can be found in a variety of habitats, and their preferred environments depend on the species. Common tick habitats include:

Wooded and Grassland Areas: Ticks thrive in areas with tall grass, bushes, and wooded regions. They use these environments to climb on vegetation and wait for a suitable host to pass by.
Leaf Litter and Moist Areas: Ticks often inhabit leaf litter, where they can wait for a host to brush against them. Moist environments with high humidity are also favorable for ticks.
Urban and Suburban Areas: Ticks can also be found in urban and suburban areas, especially if there are green spaces like parks or wildlife areas.

Understanding where these pesky critters thrive is one of the first steps to avoid ticks and tick bites.

wooded and grassland areas, leaf litter and moist areas are prime tick habitat

How Ticks Get on Humans

Ticks typically wait for a host by climbing on vegetation and using specialized structures called Haller’s organs to detect carbon dioxide, heat, or other cues emitted by potential hosts. When a host approaches, ticks use their hooked front legs to grasp onto the host and climb onto the skin. This behavior is also known as questing.

Ticks can also be directly picked up by humans when they come into contact with infested areas by walking through tall grass, or wooded areas or by sitting on the ground.

Humans can also come into contact with ticks by handling or interacting with host animals like dogs, deer, turkeys, bears, and other game animals. Be careful to look over your pets and harvested game animals for ticks. Avoid ticks in an animal's fur or feathers if you see them.

ticks in bear fur. photo courtesy of Kate Small.

Pay attention to your surroundings while you're hunting, scouting, or looking for sheds. Knowing where they are commonly found and how they can get on you is important to avoid ticks.

Common Tick Species in North America

Hunters in North America may encounter several tick species, and it's essential to be aware of them due to the potential health risks associated with tick-borne diseases. Some common tick species in North America include:

Black-Legged Tick (Ixodes scapularis): Also known as the deer tick, the black-legged tick is found in wooded areas and is known for transmitting Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.
American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis): Widely distributed in North America, the American dog tick is commonly found in grassy fields, along trails, and in wooded areas. It can transmit diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and tularemia.
Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum): Recognizable by the distinctive white spot on the female's back, the lone star tick is found in various habitats, including woods and grassy areas. It can transmit diseases like ehrlichiosis, alpha-gal syndrome and tularemia.
Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni): Found in the Rocky Mountain region, this tick species is associated with wooded areas and grasslands. It can transmit pathogens causing Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Colorado tick fever.
Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus): This tick is often associated with dogs and can infest homes. While it doesn't transmit Lyme disease, it can transmit diseases like canine ehrlichiosis and canine babesiosis.
Gulf Coast Tick (Amblyomma maculatum): Predominantly found in the southeastern United States, this tick species is associated with grassy areas and can transmit diseases such as Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis.

While this is not a comprehensive list of species in North America, knowing which ones you're likely to encounter in your hunts and their health risks will help you avoid ticks and tick-borne diseases.

Tick-Borne Diseases

There are many tick-borne diseases in North America, resulting from tick bites. It’s important to note that these descriptions are summaries of just a few common illnesses, and the symptoms and geographic regions can vary. If you suspect you have a tick-borne illness, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease is commonly carried by Black-Legged Ticks (Ixodes scapularis) and Western Black Legged Ticks (Ixodes pacificus) and is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.

Geographic Distribution: Predominantly in the northeastern, north central, and Pacific coastal regions of the United States.
Symptoms: Early symptoms may include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. The hallmark sign is a circular red rash with a "bullseye" appearance (erythema migrans). It's important to seek medical attention right away for a course of antibiotics. If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to more severe symptoms affecting the joints, heart, and nervous system.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is commonly carried by American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis), Rocky Mountain wood ticks (Dermacentor andersoni), and brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii.

Geographic Distribution: Throughout the United States, with higher incidence in the southeastern and south-central regions.
Symptoms: Initial symptoms may include fever, headache, and muscle aches. A characteristic spotted rash usually appears a few days later, starting on the wrists and ankles and spreading to the rest of the body. If not treated promptly, RMSF can lead to serious complications, including organ failure.

Alpha-Gal Syndrome

Alpha-Gal Syndrome is a tick-borne disease that can cause an allergy to red meat. It’s triggered by the bite of the Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma Americanum)

Geographic Distribution: Alpha-Gal syndrome has been reported in certain regions of the United States, Australia, Europe, and other parts of the world where specific tick species capable of transmitting the alpha-gal sugar are present.
Symptoms: Following a tick bite, individuals may develop an allergic reaction to the alpha-gal sugar present in red meat, such as beef, pork, and lamb. Allergic reactions can vary in severity and may include symptoms such as hives, itching, swelling, abdominal pain, and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis. One distinctive aspect of Alpha-Gal syndrome is the delayed onset of symptoms, often occurring several hours after consuming red meat. This delayed response makes it challenging for individuals to connect their symptoms to a specific food source.

Ehrlichiosis

Ehrlichiosis is commonly carried by Lone Star Ticks (Amblyomma americanum) and black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis).

Geographic Distribution: Ehrlichiosis cases are reported in various regions of the United States.
Symptoms: Symptoms of ehrlichiosis can include fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms. In severe cases, it can lead to complications affecting the respiratory and nervous systems. Early detection and treatment with antibiotics are crucial for a favorable outcome.

What To Do If You Have a Tick Bite

Sometimes it's impossible to avoid ticks. If you get a tick bite or suspect you have a tick-borne disease, it's essential to take prompt and appropriate actions. Here are general guidelines to follow:

Remove the Tick: Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick, as this may cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. Clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water. A tick key is a useful tick removal tool to keep handy in your hiking or hunting pack.
Save the Tick: Consider saving the tick in a sealed container or plastic bag in case you need it for identification or testing later. Some healthcare providers may use this information to help determine the risk of disease transmission.
Seek Medical Attention: If you're unable to remove the tick completely or if you're concerned about the potential for disease transmission, seek medical attention. Consult a healthcare professional if you experience symptoms such as fever, rash, joint pain, or other signs of illness after a tick bite.
Monitor for Symptoms: Be vigilant for symptoms of tick-borne diseases in the weeks following a tick bite. Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, fatigue, and a characteristic rash. Different tick-borne diseases may have distinct symptoms, so be aware of any changes in your health.
Know the Local Risks: Be aware of the types of ticks prevalent in your area and the diseases they may carry. This information can help you and healthcare providers assess the potential risks associated with a tick bite.

deer tick with lyme disease. Photo courtesy of Joe Dickie.