4 Diseases Spread By Ticks

Predominantly found in brushy or wooded areas, four of the most common ticks found in the US include the American dog tick, blacklegged deer tick, brown dog tick, and lone star tick. They're active from spring through fall and can transmit a range of diseases. Preventing them from entering your home is the first line of defense against bloodborne illnesses.

Ticks often make their way indoors by hitching rides on wildlife such as raccoons, rodents, and birds that come close to your home, making it important to limit wildlife access to your property.

4 Common Diseases Spread by Ticks

When a tick bites an infected host animal, such as a human or other mammal, they ingest that blood and transmit it to the next host through small amounts of saliva.

The diseases ticks transmit begin with similar symptoms, including fever, chills, headaches, achy joints, and rashes. However, they may affect different parts of the body when left untreated. The following are four common diseases spread by ticks in the United States.

Lyme Disease

Spread through a blacklegged tick bite, Lyme disease may begin as a bump on the affected area, spread into a rash, followed by fever and a headache. However, if left untreated, Lyme disease could affect the heart, joints, and nervous system.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

The American dog tick is the most notable culprit to spread Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. If not caught during the initial stages, RMSF can result in amputation, hearing loss, and mental disability. 

Anaplasmosis

Transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick, Anaplasmosis often begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, and headaches. While some cases may be mild, untreated infections can lead to more severe complications, including respiratory failure or organ damage, particularly in older adults or those with weakened immune systems.

Hard Tick Relapsing Fever (HTRF)

Hard Tick Relapsing Fever is a less common illness spread by certain hard ticks, including the blacklegged tick. It is characterized by recurring episodes of fever, along with headache, muscle and joint aches, and fatigue. Without treatment, symptoms can come and go in cycles, and in rare cases, complications affecting the nervous system may develop.

Protect Your Home from Ticks with Critter Guard

At Critter Guard, our wildlife control solutions can help prevent wildlife that carry ticks from entering your home and spreading diseases. For more information about our wildlife and pest control products, contact us today.