Ticks: Debunking Common Myths and Misconceptions

Myth 1: Ticks Only Live in Forests

One of the most persistent myths is that ticks are found exclusively in wooded areas. While it’s true that ticks thrive in forests, they can also be found in grasslands, gardens, parks, and even urban areas. Ticks are highly adaptable and can survive wherever their hosts—including humans, pets, and wildlife—are present.

To learn more about the types of ticks and where to find them, click here.

Myth 2: Ticks Jump Onto Their Host

Contrary to popular belief, ticks do not jump or fall. Instead, they employ a behavior called “questing,” where they climb onto grasses, shrubs, and trees, and wait for a host to brush past, where they then latch on. Once they latch onto a host, they then crawl around to find a suitable feeding spot, which is why wearing proper clothing and taking preventative measures is so important.

Myth 3: You Can Safely Remove a Tick by Burning It

Using heat to remove a tick is not only ineffective but also dangerous. Applying heat or other irritants like nail polish or alcohol can cause the tick to release more saliva, increasing the risk of disease transmission. The safest way to remove a tick is to use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady pressure.

For what to do if you find a tick, click here.

Myth 4: All Ticks Carry The Same Diseases

While most people know ticks can carry diseases such as Lyme (borrelia burgdorferi), they may not know that there are actually over a dozen tick-borne diseases including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and even alpha-gal syndrome, which causes an allergy to red meat. Awareness of these diseases is vital for early diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, not all ticks are infected. The likelihood of a tick transmitting a disease depends on many factors but nonetheless, it’s crucial to promptly remove ticks and monitor for any symptoms of illness.

Myth 5: Ticks Die in Winter

Many people assume that cold weather eliminates ticks, but this is not entirely true. Some tick species are active in winter, especially if temperatures rise above freezing. Additionally, ticks can survive cold months by burrowing into leaf litter or attaching to a warm host.

Myth 6: You’re Safe if You Don’t See a Tick

Ticks are small and can be easy to miss, especially in their nymph stage when they are about the size of a poppy seed. Even if you don’t notice a tick, it’s still possible to contract a tick-borne illness. This is why it’s important to perform regular tick checks after spending time outdoors.

Myth 7: Ticks Prefer Certain Hosts Over Others

Ticks do not have a preference for specific hosts; instead, they target any available source of blood, whether it’s a human, dog, deer, or bird. However, certain species of ticks may be more common in areas with particular wildlife populations, which can affect the likelihood of encountering them.

How to Protect Yourself from Ticks

Now that we’ve debunked some common myths, here are practical tips to protect yourself:

• Wear protective clothing: Long sleeves, pants, and light-colored clothing can help you spot ticks more easily.
• Use repellents: Products containing DEET, picaridin, or permethrin are effective at keeping ticks away.
• Perform regular tick checks: Inspect your body, clothing, and pets after spending time outdoors.
• Maintain your yard: Keep grass trimmed, remove leaf litter, and create a barrier of wood chips or gravel between wooded areas and your lawn.

For a full list of preventative measures, click here.

Conclusion

Ticks may be tiny, but their potential impact on health is significant. By understanding the facts and dispelling common myths, you can reduce your risk of tick bites and the diseases they carry. Stay informed, take precautions, and enjoy the great outdoors with confidence.

About Project Lyme

Project Lyme’s mission is to eradicate the epidemic of tick-borne diseases through awareness and education, support of cutting-edge science, and advocacy for solutions to end the suffering. Since 2016, the organization has educated the public, funded research in diagnostics and therapeutics, advocated on the Federal and State levels, and supported patients with a variety of programs.