Key Takeaways
- Ticks are arachnids: they have eight legs as nymphs and adults, and no antennae or wings.
- The paralysis tick: causes most tick bites in eastern Australia.
- Removal: never put oil on a tick. Freeze it with an ether-based spray, or get medical help if you are allergic.
What are ticks?
Ticks are small bloodsucking external parasites. They are arachnids, so they are related to spiders, but they are neither spiders nor insects. They live by consuming the blood of animals, birds and humans.
- They look like a spider, with eight legs as nymphs and adults.
- Paralysis ticks have an oval, flat body that swells when they feed.
Generally, a tick itself cannot enter the skin, because its mouthparts only break the surface. Ticks require a blood feed to lay their eggs. They live on blood, and after a blood meal, they lay eggs.
Do ticks have antennae? No. As arachnids, ticks have no antennae and no wings. Do ticks fly? No, and they cannot jump either. A tick waits on grass or leaves with its front legs held out, then climbs onto an animal or person that brushes past.
Where do ticks live?
Ticks make their home in wooded areas, plants, grasses and gardens. They latch on to animals walking by or sleeping. The paralysis tick favours humid coastal eastern Australia.
- Large patches of yard: overgrown areas give ticks places to wait.
- Wood piles: ticks make their homes here too.
- Tall grass and weeds: most people are bitten while gardening, playing or doing yard work.
Ticks can also hitch a ride on animals such as dogs and cats. Adult paralysis ticks are most common from spring to midsummer, and tick season generally runs from July to December.
Do All Ticks Spread Disease?
No. Australia has over 70 types of tick, and 17 of them feed on humans. The Australian paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) causes most tick bites in eastern Australia. Lyme disease is not carried by Australian ticks, and cases usually come from overseas travel. Ticks in Australia are linked to these health problems:
- Allergic reactions: these can include anaphylaxis.
- Tick paralysis: rare in humans and caused by the paralysis tick.
- Mammalian meat allergy: also called alpha-gal syndrome.
- Australian spotted fever and Q fever: Q fever is the only tick-borne illness with a vaccine.
Dangers of paralysis tick
Dogs are frequently infested with ticks, and paralysis ticks are the highly dangerous ones. The paralysis tick causes paralysis. A typical case starts with weakness of the hindquarters that spreads to paralysis of all four legs. Another typical case sign includes vomiting, altered bark or meow.
- Weak back legs: the weakness spreads to all four legs.
- Vomiting: a common sign in pets.
- A changed bark or meow: the voice sounds different.
Pets are in real trouble when the chest or throat muscles are affected, so contact a vet urgently.
What are Symptoms of a Tick Bite
The common local reaction is redness, itching and swelling at the bite, which can last several days. If you are sensitive to the bites of ticks, you may also notice a rash, pain or a burning feeling at the bite.
Some ticks spread disease, which can transfer on when they bite. A tick-borne disease may cause symptoms in a wide variety. These symptoms become visible within several days or a few weeks after the bite of a tick.
- Head and neck: headache, neck stiffness, blurred vision and poor balance.
- Whole body: fever, chills, nausea, weakness, aches and a full body rash.
Call triple zero (000) if someone has trouble breathing or collapses after a tick bite. For non-emergency advice, Healthdirect runs a 24/7 line on 1800 022 222.
Seek medical treatment as soon as possible if you are bitten by a tick and feel unwell. The medical risk alone is good reason to call Control Pest Management to protect yourself and your family.
Life Cycle of Ticks
The paralysis tick life cycle has four stages: egg, larva, nymph and adult. This tick feeds on three hosts. It drops off after each feeding stage, moults and must find a new host.
| Stage | Legs | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Egg | None | The female tick falls to the ground to lay eggs |
| Larva | Six | About 0.5 mm, mostly found in autumn and winter |
| Nymph | Eight | About 1 mm, feeds on a host |
| Adult | Eight | Most common from spring to midsummer |
After the eggs hatched, the tiny little larva feeds on an appropriate host. After some days, the larva grows into the larger nymph. To continue the life cycle, the female tick falls to the ground to lay eggs.
How long can ticks live without a host? Paralysis ticks can survive up to nine months on the ground during their non-feeding phases.
How to remove a tick safely
Never put oil on a tick. Healthdirect lists oil, methylated spirits, petroleum jelly and nail polish as home remedies that do not work and may make the tick burrow deeper. If you are allergic to ticks, get urgent medical help and do not remove the tick yourself.
- Leave it alone: do not squeeze, twist or pull the tick, and do not use tweezers or fingernails.
- Freeze it: spray it with an ether-containing spray from a pharmacy, and it should drop off within about 5 minutes.
- Get help if it stays: if you cannot freeze it, or an adult tick is still attached after 24 hours, seek medical help.
- Clean the area: wash the bite with soap and water once the tick is off.
How can ticks be prevented?
There are many preventatives available in the market. Use an effective preventative, which is typically applied on the skin and around the neck of your pets. It can only be applied to dogs, and the same treatment cannot be applied to cats.
- Wash clothes: if you suspect that clothes have ticks, put them straight into the washing machine. Wash dirty clothes in hot water.
- Use the dryer: tumble-dry clothes on hot for 20 minutes after time outdoors.
- Clean the house: clean the house entirely, including the corners of shelves, and vacuum all.
- Dress for the outdoors: use light-coloured protective clothing and tuck your trousers into your socks.
- Use repellent: apply a repellent spray just before going out. Choose one with DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus.
Tick control for your home and yard
Get the experts from Control Pest Management to come and solve your tick problems professionally. Our licensed technicians are fully insured and police checked, and our treatments are suitable for your home, even if you have children and pets. We help clients across the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Gladstone and Logan, and 376 Google reviews rate us Excellent.
Our team can treat your yard and home as part of our general pest control. If your pets also have fleas, see our flea control service. For pest control on the Gold Coast, fill in our enquiry form for a free quote or call 1300 357 246.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do ticks live?
Ticks live in wooded areas, plants, grasses and gardens, wherever they can latch on to a passing or sleeping animal. They favour large patches of yard, wood piles, tall grass and weeds. Most people are bitten while gardening or doing yard work, and ticks can also hitch a ride on dogs and cats.
How do I remove a tick safely?
Do not squeeze, twist or pull the tick, and do not apply oil, methylated spirits or alcohol. Freeze it with an ether-containing spray from a pharmacy and let it drop off. If you cannot freeze it, or you are allergic to ticks, get urgent medical help. The CDC gives the same advice.
How dangerous are paralysis ticks for pets?
Paralysis ticks are a serious danger to dogs and cats. A typical case starts with weakness in the hindquarters that spreads to all four legs, and other signs include vomiting and an altered bark or meow. Pets are in real trouble when the chest or throat muscles are affected, so contact a vet urgently.
How can I prevent tick problems at home?
Use an effective tick preventative on your pets, and remember that dog products cannot be used on cats. Wash suspect clothes straight away in hot water, vacuum the house thoroughly, wear light-coloured clothing and use repellent before heading outdoors. Our team can help with pest control around your home.
Do ticks fly?
No. Ticks have no wings, and they cannot jump either. A tick waits on grass or leaves with its front legs held out, then climbs onto an animal or person that brushes past. Brush off your clothes after time in long grass.
How long can ticks live without a host?
Paralysis ticks can survive up to nine months on the ground during their non-feeding phases, according to Meat and Livestock Australia. Ticks can fast for long periods, but they eventually die without a host. Tidy grass helps keep ticks away from your home.