What Does a Tick Look Like & How to Check for Ticks on Human Hair & Skin in Absecon, NJ
It is that season; ticks. While people are spending more and more time outside, the risk of having a tick on your body increases. They are out there, and it is important to know how to check yourself for ticks. They carry many diseases that include Lyme’s disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Ross Environmental Solutions is here to walk you through the steps needed to thoroughly check yourself for ticks this summer.
What Does a Tick Look Like?
The first step in keeping yourself safe from ticks and properly checking your body for any ticks is to know what you are looking for. Ticks have eight legs and are part of the arachnid family. There are several hundred different tick species, but only a few that are common here in the U.S. Those are broken down into two categories dog ticks and deer ticks. Dog ticks are larger, hard ticks that are about 1/8 to ½ inch long. Deer ticks are much smaller and for that reason, they can be harder to spot. They are about the same size as a sesame seed unless they are engorged.
Check Your Body for Ticks from the Ground Up
It is best if you can find a private room that has a mirror to help you see your body more easily. Because ticks live in brush and grasses, they will likely hitch a ride on your body close to the ground. Start to systematically check your body for ticks from the ankles up. They don’t jump and are most likely to be found on the bottom half of your body. Men should be aware that small ticks can easily hide in the hair on your legs and so it is important to comb through your leg hair to give yourself a thorough check. Check all the visible parts of your skin before undressing to finish the check.
Check Bare Skin & Hair for Ticks
Now it is time to undress and make sure there aren’t any ticks that have hidden beneath your clothing. It is important that you give the cracks and crevices of your body a good check since these are the places that ticks like the most. Don’t forget to check your hairline and in your hair as well since they can easily hide in this area. Some of the most important places to check on your body are:
-Between Toes
-Behind the Knees
-In the Groin
-Naval (Belly Button)
-In the Armpits
-Behind the Ears
-Nape of the Neck
-Scalp & Under Hair
Tick Control
The sooner you can get a tick off your body, the better. If a tick is on your body for three hours or less, you are less likely to experience any sickness passed on by them. If you have a tick problem on your property, you can count on the experts at Ross Environmental Solutions to help you keep these dangerous pests away. Call us today!
