Ticks 
Although ticks are commonly thought of as insects, they are actually arachnids like scorpions, spiders and mites. All members of this group have four pairs of legs as adults and have no antennae. Ticks are among the most efficeient carriers of disease because they attach firmly when sucking blood, feed slowly and may go unnoticed for a considerable time while feeding.
Ticks wait for host animals from the tips of grasses and shrubs (not from trees). When brushed by a moving animal or person, they quickly let go of the vegetation and climb into the host. Ticks can only crawl; they cannot fly or jump. Ticks found on the scalp have usually crawled there from lower parts of the body. Some species of ticks will crawl several feet toward a host. Ticks can be active on winter days when the ground temperatures are about 45 o Fahrenheit.
Even though there are over 15 species of ticks found in Illinois, only a select few are likely to come into contact with humans. The American dog tick, lone star tick, blacklegged (deer) tick, brown dog tick and winter tick are the most commonly encountered ticks.
Information on preventing tick bites and disease can be seen by clicking on the following links: (link to pdf “Preventing Tick Bites and Disease”)
Source: Illinois Department of Public Health
Additional Educational Materials on Ticks:
Tick Poster
Common Ticks
Types of Ticks
|
