tick ID
know them. prevent them.
Deer Tick (Black-Legged Tick)
• Deer ticks may transmit the agents that cause
Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis
nymph
nymph
(1/32"–1/16")
adult male
adult
(1/8")
• What bites: nymphs and adult females
adult female
• When: anytime temperatures are above
freezing, greatest risk is spring through fall
engorged adult
(up to 1/2")
Dog Tick
• Dog ticks do not transmit the agent that causes
Lyme disease
• What bites: adult females
adult male
• When: April–August through fall
prevent the bite
• Wear light-colored protective
clothing
• Use EPA-approved insect
repellent on skin or clothing
• Use caution in tick infested areas
• Perform daily tick checks
• Protect your pets, use repellents,
acaricides, and a Lyme disease
vaccine for dogs
adult female
(examples are not actual size, dog tick nymphs are rarely found on humans
or their pets)
tick removal
Remove ticks immediately. They usually need to attach
for 24 hours to transmit Lyme disease. Consult a physician
if you remove an engorged deer tick.
Using a tick spoon:
• Place the wide part of the notch on the skin near the tick (hold skin
taut if necessary)
• Applying slight pressure downward on the skin, slide the remover
forward so the small part of the notch is framing the tick
• Continuous sliding motion of the remover detaches the tick
Using tweezers:
• Grasp the tick close to the skin with tweezers
• Pull gently until the tick lets go
1-800-821-5821
34
SUMMER 2017
| www.mainepublichealth.gov