ten resulting in fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and skin ulcers at the site of the tick bite. View the CDC’s American Dog Tick Surveillance map here . For those working in the eastern part of the United States, the blacklegged tick ( lxodes scapularis ), or the deer tick, is a primary concern. This species is espe- cially prevalent across the northeast, including Maine, Massachusetts, and New York. It can also be found in nearly every part of Florida and along the coast of North Carolina. These ticks are very active for most of the year, except during winter or below freezing temperatures. And, just like the American dog tick, adult females commonly bite humans. These tiny pests can transmit several serious diseases that pose risks to tree care professionals, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and Powassan virus — a rare but potentially severe infection that can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or the mem- branes surrounding the brain and spi- nal cord (meningitis). View the CDC’s Blacklegged Tick Sur- veillance map here . But that’s not all — other species of ticks crawl about “out there.” These include: • The Asian longhorned tick ( Haemaphysalis longicornis ) - Native to East Asia, this invasive species is now commonly found in the North- east, Southeast, and Midwest. • Brown dog tick ( Rhipicephalus san- guineus ) - Found worldwide. • Gulf Coast tick ( Amblyomma maculatum ) - Primarily found in the southeastern United States, but has been spotted in the Northeast, Midwest, and Southwest. • Rocky Mountain wood tick ( Dermacentor andersoni ) - Found in — you guessed it — the Rocky Mountain states and southwestern Canada. It’s often found at eleva- tions above 4,000 feet.
•Muscle and joint pain •Extreme fatigue •Swollen lymph nodes
Symptoms of a Tick Bite Because tick bites are known to trans- mit a wide variety of illnesses and con- ditions, symptoms will also vary. At the bite site, localized symptoms may include: •A small, itchy red bump - this may appear within an hour or two of the bite. •A bull’s-eye rash known as ery- thema migrans. If this develops, it often signals Lyme disease; however, this isn’t a definite sign of the condition. •Small, red, or purplish blood spot rash on the skin around the bite site. This type of rash can indicate Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Systemic illness may also appear with- in one to four weeks of the initial bite. These symptoms may include:
If any of the above symptoms occur, it’s best to consult a healthcare provider immediately. For more information on tickborne illnesses and their related symptoms, visit the CDC Tickborne Diseases Guide . PPE Recommendations While working in an area where ticks are prevalent, consider using the fol- lowing PPE: •Wear light-colored clothing, like a bright yellow or orange high-vis vest. This will help make ticks easier to spot. •Tuck pants into thick socks or boots. Some arborists even swear by wrapping duct tape (sticky side out) around the ankles to trap ticks. •Wear chemically treated (0.5% per- methrin) clothing designed to ward off ticks and other pests.
•Fever and chills •Headaches or migraines
If bitten by an infected tick, a bull's-eye-rash a bull’s‑eye–shaped rash, called erythema migrans, may appear. While it often suggests Lyme disease, it isn’t a guaranteed indicator.
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