Midwest Mary

Tiny Vampires

Teeny, tiny ticks
attach, suck, regurgitate
swap poison for blood

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A new vampire’s in town, and she’s out for blood. The Asian longhorned tick was first detected in the US in New Jersey in 2017. It has since spread to at least 21 states and Washington D.C., primarily in the East, Southeast, and Midwest.

The little creature is known to transmit Theileria orientalis Ikeda, a parasite that can cause sickness and death in cattle. Scientists are also studying its potential to transmit pathogens like the bacteria that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Ehrlichiosis. Initial research suggests it might not be efficient at spreading Lyme disease. Most intriguing is this tick’s ability to reproduce without a male, which makes it a powerful invader.

Ticks latch on to hosts with their mouthparts to feed on the blood of hosts. They typically seek warm, moist areas such as on the scalp, neck, groin, behind the knees, belly button, in or around the ears, armpits, and waist.

They only consume about ½ a milliliter of blood. However, they regurgitate saliva and other fluids back into the host while feeding, and here is where the problem occurs. These ticks can leave debilitating forms of bacteria, parasites, and viruses behind.

The other problem with these little guys is that they aren’t always noticeable. They’re only 3 to 5 millimeters long and can be as small as a poppy seed without causing any initial discomfort. They may or may not leave a mark or rash. In fact, it is rare that they do.

Ticks can transmit various diseases to humans through their bite, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and others. These diseases can result in a range of problems from mild flu-like symptoms to severe illness that affects the joints, heart, and nervous system. 

Ticks consist of two body segments—a fused head and an abdomen—which means they are not insects. Baby ticks have six legs. Adult ticks have eight. Ticks do not have antennae or wings.

The blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick, is found in deciduous forests across the eastern half of the US from Maine to Florida and moving into parts of Texas, Colorado, and even the Dakotas. Deer ticks are usually black with areas of reddish-brown or white on their backs. This tick is known to transmit bacteria that cause Lyme disease, including Borrelia burgdorferi, B. mayonii, and babesiosis, Babesia microti, in addition to anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Powassan virus.

The Lone Star tick is found from Iowa and Illinois to parts of Maine, down into the Gulf Coast States. Lone Star ticks have a distinctive white dot on their backs. This tick is aggressive and can transmit ehrlichiosis, tularmemia, Heartland virus disease, Bourbon virus disease, and Southern tick-associated rash illnesses. It may even cause an allergic reaction to red meat.

The American dog tick is typically found east of the Rocky Mountains and through most of California. Dog ticks have whitish markings on their backs. The risk with this creature is the spread of the bacterial disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.

Brown dog ticks are everywhere in the US, including indoors. They prefer dogs but will settle on anyone in their reach and can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

After a tick drops from its host, fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue may develop, as well as an allergic reaction such as skin irritation. Symptoms could advance into joint pain, neurological problems, and heart complications, especially with untreated Lyme disease.

Most of us won’t avoid outside activities in fear of these parasitic arachnids. There are more than 700 species of hard ticks and 200 species of soft ticks found throughout the world. But only a few bite and transmit disease to humans.

To avoid tick bites, we should use insect repellent, wear protective clothing when in tick habitats such as woods and tall grassy areas, and check for ticks after spending time outdoors. We must remember to check our pets, as well.

If you believe you’ve been bitten by a tick, seek medical attention as soon as possible and inform your provider of the type of area you were in when you believe you were bitten. Tick-borne illnesses are often treated with antibiotics or antiparasitics. Herbs are also found to be effective.

Unfortunately, basic blood tests may show a negative result and therefore delay needed care. The common American criteria does not take symptoms into account and answer a call for further testing.

I’ve had chronic pain and fatigue for decades. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1999 after what felt like the worst flu and then a series of odd symptoms. The pain continued for decades. Last year, an advanced series of blood tests showed evidence of Lyme disease, which likely began prior to the fibromyalgia.

Because of the many years this disease was undetected and continued to multiply, little things can tip the scale and send me into a slump. A common virus, over-stimulation, a new medication, and even a low barometer cause fatigue, throbbing headaches, high blood pressure, nausea, and overall pain that prevents me from moving.

Please, be your own advocate. Fight for advanced testing and treatment if you believe you could have Lyme or another tick-borne illness. Traditional medicine doctors follow a meager method of resolving this illness.

My other suggestion is not to miss out on the pleasures of nature. Continue hiking, biking, walking, gardening, and camping regardless of the threat of these diseases. Just do what you can to prevent the bites.

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Instructions for Tick Removal

1. Gently clean the area around the tick with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol or warm, soapy water.
2. Use rounded-end tweezers to gently but firmly pinch the tick near its head, as close to your skin as possible. Don’t crush the tick’s body (this can push more germs into your body) or touch it with your hands.
3. Take note (or a good photo) of what the tick looks like. Is it flat or rounded (engorged)? Does it have markings on its back? Save it in a container if you can. This can help your provider know how long the tick was biting you and how likely it is that it transmitted diseases.
4. Wash the bite area thoroughly with soap and water.
5. If you’re unsure how long the tick was attached or if you develop symptoms, contact your provider.

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You may be interested in looking at Dr. Bill Rawls‘ website. Dr. Rawls is a physician and bestselling author. His successful OB-GYN career was interrupted when he developed Lyme disease. He explored conventional medicine and alternative therapies for answers.

For more information about tick-borne illnesses, see Prevention, Cleveland Clinic, and Lyme disease.org.

©Mary K. Doyle, 2025

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