Florida’s warm, humid climate allows ticks to thrive year-round across the state, from wooded areas to suburban backyards. Their widespread presence makes awareness important for residents and visitors alike.
Understanding Ticks in Florida
Ticks are arachnids, not insects, and are external parasites that feed on blood. Their life cycle includes four stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult, each requiring a blood meal. Ticks prefer moist, shaded areas like tall grass, brush, and leaf litter, which are prevalent throughout Florida’s diverse landscapes.
Key Tick Species in Florida
Florida is home to several tick species, each with distinct characteristics and preferred habitats.
The Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is frequently encountered, recognizable by a single white or silvery spot on the adult female. These aggressive biters inhabit wooded areas, fields, and residential yards.
The American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) is brown with white or cream markings and typically measures about 5 millimeters. They are found in grassy fields, scrubland, and along trails.
The Blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), also known as the deer tick, is small and dark brown to black. They are primarily found in humid, deciduous forests and areas with dense vegetation.
The Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) is brown with light-colored markings and is prevalent in coastal regions and open grassy areas within about 100 miles of the coast.
Health Risks from Florida Ticks
Tick bites can transmit various pathogens, leading to several illnesses, with symptoms often including fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue.
Lyme disease, transmitted by the Blacklegged tick, can cause a bull’s-eye rash and flu-like symptoms. Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), primarily from the American dog tick, causes fever, headache, and sometimes a rash. The Gulf Coast tick can transmit Rickettsia parkeri, leading to a spotted fever illness, sometimes with a sore at the bite site.
Ehrlichiosis, transmitted by the Lone Star tick, causes fever, headache, and muscle aches. Anaplasmosis, also from the Blacklegged tick, presents with flu-like symptoms. Alpha-gal syndrome, linked to the Lone Star tick, can cause an allergic reaction to red meat.
Prompt medical attention is important for managing these conditions.
Protecting Yourself from Ticks
Taking preventative measures can significantly reduce the risk of tick bites.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, preferably light-colored for visibility, and tuck pant legs into socks or boots.
- Apply EPA-registered insect repellents with DEET (at least 20%) or picaridin to exposed skin and clothing.
- After outdoor activities, perform a thorough tick check, focusing on hidden areas like behind the ears, in hair, armpits, groin, behind the knees, and around the waistline.
- Shower within two hours of returning indoors to wash off unattached ticks.
- Maintain a tidy yard by keeping grass mowed, clearing leaf litter, and removing brush to reduce tick habitats.
If a tick is found attached, prompt and proper removal is important. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin, pulling upward with steady pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking, which can leave mouthparts behind. Clean the bite area and hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water, and avoid folk remedies like petroleum jelly or heat. Seek medical attention if a rash, flu-like symptoms, or other unusual signs develop after a bite.