![]() ![]() The most common fleas living in Florida are the cat flea, the dog flea, the human flea, and the sticktight flea. Their tiny bodies are covered in hair to help them attach to their host and easily move about under a host’s fur. ![]() What Do Fleas Look Like?įleas are reddish-brown and wingless, with narrow bodies no bigger than 1/6 of an inch long. Read on for everything you need to know regarding fleas and ticks and the best ways to prevent them from ruining your summer. Because of this, it’s important to know how to identify fleas and ticks, the dangers they carry, and how to help prevent them from getting into your home. Contrary to popular belief, fleas and ticks are not just found while walking, hiking, or camping. And while you may just be hanging around in your own backyard, your family could still be exposed to these harmful pests. Although all life stages bite humans, nymphs and adult females are more often reported on humans.While spring and summer are the most common seasons for diseases caused by ticks, Florida’s warm and humid climate is perfect for them to survive year-round. miyamotoi ( hard tick relapsing fever)Ĭomments: Larvae and nymphs often feed on lizards, birds, and rodents, and adults more commonly feed on deer. Transmits: Anaplasma phagocytophilum ( anaplasmosis), Borrelia burgdorferi ( Lyme disease), and B. Where found: Along the Pacific coast of the United States, particularly northern California. The nymph and adult females most frequently bite humans and transmit disease. Lone star tick saliva can be irritating redness and discomfort at a bite site does not necessarily indicate an infection. The adult female is distinguished by a white dot or “lone star” on her back. Growing evidence suggests that alpha-gal syndrome (red meat allergy) may be triggered by the bite of lone star ticks however, other tick species have not been ruled out.Ĭomments: A very aggressive tick that bites humans. Transmits: Bourbon virus, Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii (which cause human ehrlichiosis), Heartland virus, tularemia, and STARI. Where found: Widely distributed in the eastern, southeastern, and south-central United States. Please consult your local health department or Cooperative Extension office to learn about the risks of tickborne disease in your local area. The map does not represent the risk of contracting any specific tickborne illness. However, tick abundance within this area varies locally. This map shows the estimated distribution of Ixodes scapularis tick populations, commonly known as blacklegged or deer ticks. Stages most likely to bite humans are nymphs and adult females. However, adults may be out searching for a host any time winter temperatures are above freezing. ![]() miyamotoi ( hard tick relapsing fever), Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis ( ehrlichiosis), Babesia microti( babesiosis), and Powassan virus ( Powassan virus disease).Ĭomments: The greatest risk of being bitten exists in the spring, summer, and fall. mayonii (which cause Lyme disease), Anaplasma phagocytophilum ( anaplasmosis), B. Where found: Widely distributed across the eastern United States. Background data for this map is from the US National Atlas. This map has been designed to answer the question “What ticks should I be concerned about at a regional scale?” Please consult a local public health authority or USDA Agricultural Extension Office to determine more specific information at the state, county, or municipal level. This map is not meant to represent risks for a specific tick-borne disease, because disease transmission is influenced by multiple factors beyond mere tick presence. Adult females are most likely to bite humans. Transmits: Tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.Ĭomments: The highest risk of being bitten occurs during spring and summer. See county-level estimated and established distribution. More research is needed to understand the role of these species in disease transmission. similis is found west of the Rocky Mountains. Also occurs in limited areas on the Pacific. variabilis is widely distributed east of the Rocky Mountains.
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