Tick Surveillance

Garrett County Tick Surveillance

Introduction

In 2019, the office of Environmental Health began collecting data on the species and populations of ticks found in Garrett County. The goal of this project is to better inform the residents and visitors of Garrett County the risk associated with ticks.

Ticks found in Garrett County

Ticks go through four life stages over a 2-3 year life span. Once a female lays her eggs, the ticks emerge as larvae. After feeding on a small host, they molt into nymphs. Then, after a second blood meal, they will molt into either a male or female adult. The female will feed again before laying her eggs. Ticks are not born with disease causing pathogens. These pathogens are consumed by the ticks during feeding on infected hosts. A tick may carry more than one disease causing pathogen. Different stages of different species emerge at different times during the year. However, anytime the temperature is above 45 degrees Fahrenheit, ticks may be out searching for a host. The following ticks have been collected during active surveillance in Garrett County:

Ixodes scapularis (Deer Tick/ Black Legged Tick)

​The most commonly found tick in Garrett County is Ixodes scapularis (frequently called a Deer Tick or Black Legged tick). This tick is most known for being a carrier of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria which causes Lyme Disease. The Black Legged Tick may also transmit bacteria that cause erlichiosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus disease. Nymphs appear in early summer to early fall and you are most likely to find adults in the spring and fall. They will likely be buried in leaf litter on the forest floor unless they crawl out to a blade of grass waiting for a host.

Amblyoma (Lone Star Tick)

The Lone Star Tick is not as common as the Deer Tick, but it is more aggressive as it actively seeks out a host. Adults and nymphs emerge in the late spring throughout summer and are usually found in woodlands and animal resting places. Lone Star Ticks can carry and transmit several different pathogens as well as the Alpha Gal molecule that can cause Alpha Gal Syndrome, a food allergy to red meat. Female Lone Star ticks are identified by a white dot on their back.

Dermacenter (American Dog Tick)

​You are most likely to encounter a dog tick in a grassy fieldor area with little tree cover often at the end of a branch or long blade of grass waiting for a host to walk by. If no host is found, they can survive up to 2 years at any stage. This tick follows a similar cycle to the Lone Star Tick whereas adults and nymphs can be found in the spring throughout the summer. The American Dog tick can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Tularemia.

 2019 Ixodes scapularis pathogen results

​In 2019 a collection of adult Ixodes scapularis ticks were sent to the CDC for pathogen testing. 63% of male Ixodes scapularis ticks tested were positive for Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease and 59% of female Ixodes scapularis ticks tested positive for B. burgdorferi.

​These ticks were also tested for Borrelia mayonii, Borrelia miyamotoi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum (strain not differentiated), and Babesia microti. All ticks were negative for these additional pathogens.

Lyme disease and your pets

Data collected from the Companion Animal Parasite Council shows that in 2012 one out of twenty dogs tested positive for Lyme’s Disease; and in 2020 one out of five dogs tested positive. This shows the rise in positive cases of Lyme Disease and why it is important to protect your pets against ticks. If you have more questions regarding Lyme Disease and your pets, please, contact your veterinarian.

Data from https://capcvet.org/

Submit ticks for data collection

Use this form to submit ticks to the office of Environmental Health. This information will be used in mapping tick populations. (Ticks will not be tested for pathogens)

For more information

For more information on tick species, prevention practices, how to remove ticks, and other resources visit…

https://tickencounter.org/

https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/

By Melinda A. Smith-Pritt, LEHS