There is plenty of species of ticks. These tiny bloodsuckers dwell on animals, on the ground hidden in the leaves and debris, and in numerous other places.
To those who are not familiar with the pests, ticks seem the same, however, a certain difference exists.
Today we will talk about the wood tick, learn how to define the wood tick nest, and figure out how to destroy this harmful insect.
Related: What Does A Tick Look Like! Be Prepared
What Is a Wood Tick?
What can be so different about this pest, you may ask? All of them are the same! But no, not all.
Wood tick is one of the species that form a large group of these bloodsuckers.
What does a wood tick look like?
Wood tick is small in size just like other pests of this kind. Its size is only three millimeters unengorged and about sixteen millimeters when the pest is full of blood.
If you take a look at the wood tick pictures, notice that these bloodsuckers are dark-brown with an oval and slightly flattened bodies. Nevertheless, engorged wood tick tends to change the coloring to more grayish after it eats.
Related: Tick Life Cycle From Egg to Adult. Interesting facts
An adult insect has eight legs whereas younger ones have only six.
The wood tick life cycle is the same as for the other kinds.
- First, it is an egg stage
- Then it is replaced by the larva, a six-legged young insect
- Afterward, the larva turns into a nymph that has eight legs
- And finally, the last stage is adult
Most people find it complicated to define the bloodsucker or its nest since they are so tiny. And a common question can be heard: what does a wood tick nest look like?
Wood tick eggs are extremely small and are hard to spot, nevertheless, if we could examine them closer, we would see that they remind very small berries.
Since they are easily mistaken for other insects’ nests, it’s not advised to destroy anything that reminds a tick nest if one spots it in the forest since it can be a nest of an insect useful for the ecosystem.
Normally, wood tick habitat consists of wooden areas with the low-growing grass and bushes, open grasslands, and of course, along the paths and country roads.
So be careful when going for a walk next time!
When Is Wood Tick Season?
A common wood tick has several stages of its lifespan as we know.
The dangerous ones are larvas and mature bloodsuckers who are active in autumn and spring respectively.
Nevertheless, those infectious beasts can be brought to our households in any season by the pets or our shoes.
Are These Bloodsuckers Harmful To People?
Usually, those pests are not considered to be harmful by most of people. Nevertheless, it is necessary to remember that they transfer multiple serious infections like tularemia, Lyme disease, and spotted fever.
Besides, allergic skin reactions are also common aftermath for the bloodsucker’s bites.
Since some of these diseases may become fatal, the bloodsuckers must be beware of.
How to Fight Wood Ticks
Naturally, everyone needs and is looking forward to finding out how to destroy the pests at home and in the garden.
It is necessary to remember that, for better protection, you’d better have a wood tick repellent for pets and, in addition, a separate wood tick repellent for humans.
For pets, consult at the nearest pet shop or visit a veterinarian to prescribe a good cure for a dog or a cat to protect them from bloodsuckers without harming the animal.
As for yourself, we would advise purchasing a wood tick spray that is meant for this exact purpose instead of experimenting with various homemade means of protection.
Those may work, too, but who knows, how well they will work and whether they will at all.
For destroying the bloodsuckers in your home, use special sprays, too.
For the garden, clean the area, take away the debris, and cut the grass. Clean up the leaf litter, and toss the fallen leaves to the compost.
Like that, the favorite places of the bloodsuckers will be destroyed.
How to Take Out Wood Tick
If by any chance a pest was spotted on the skin, no panic.
If a wood tick is engorged, it will be simple to notice it since it enlarges.
- Prepare a wood tick removal tool – simple fine-tip tweezers will do.
- Gasp the bloodsucker the closest to the skin.
- Pull it upward carefully. Don’t push or twist to prevent tearing the body of the bloodsucker apart and leaving its half under the skin!
- Once the bloodsucker is deleted, treat the damaged zone and hands with rubbing alcohol.
Past the successful removal, go visit the doctor to make sure that no infection was transferred by the pest.
Wood Tick Or Deer Tick. Comparative Characteristics
Sometimes, people confuse wood ticks to the deer tick. However, these kinds have certain significant distinctions. For the deer tick and wood tick comparison, check out the brief list of their specific traits.
- For wood tick identification, pay attention to color since the adult pest if dark-brown with black legs
- The deer tick, on the contrary, has a red lower back
- As for the size, there are no significant differences that can be visually identified
- Deer ticks are active either in spring or summer (for nymphs and larvas) while adult ones are dangerous in spring and autumn.
Wood tick, instead, is active in spring and early summer when adult
- The major difference between deer tick and the wood tick is that the deer tick’s bite usually transfers Lyme disease and affects our nervous system, joints, and heart. Wood tick’s bite causes allergy and transfers spotted fever.
For this reason, beware of those bloodsuckers and protect yourself when being outside and especially in the wood. Wear high boots with high socks and pants, cover the body with a long-sleeved jacket, and always wear a cap or other head protection.
Read next : Tick Nest and What do Tick Eggs Look Like?
