Ticks

Average size: 1/16" - 1/8" (unfed)

3 species to look out for: American dog tick, Lonestar tick, Black legged tick.

Ticks can evoke fear by the mere mention of them. They are small, easily overlooked, and are parasites (living off of another host). Ticks do not fly, jump, or blow along with wind currents; though they are patient and will wait for a suitable host. They will rest on shrubs or grasses, and when the host rubs past the plant, the tick will then crawl and attach to the mammal (they do not fall from trees as commonly thought). Once on the host, the tick may crawl to an area that is suitable for feeding and then attach itself - it can take several days to complete feeding. They can be active during cool temperatures 45 degrees and above.

These pest do not destroy the turf, though they are a concern for homeowners. The best defense is applying repellant's which contain DEET to the skin and permethrin to the clothing. Always wear protective clothing when traveling to areas with tall vegetation growth. If you find a tick on your clothing, remove it by using a strip of tape, fold the tape to encase the tick and discard in a waste basket. If a tick is found on the skin, use tweezers (grabbing the tick as close to your skin as possible) and pull the tick straight out with a firm motion (do not twist or use your hands to grasp the tick). Place the tick in a vial of alcohol to preserve it and ensure that you wash the area where it bit the skin. Apply an antiseptic to the bite area. Contact your physician or seek medical attention since ticks can carry diseases.