A blacklegged tick typically needs to be attached for 24 hours or more to transmit the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. The longer the tick feeds, the higher the risk of transmission.
Finding a tick on your body is alarming, especially if it's already latched onto your skin. The first thing most people want to know is whether they're going to get sick. And that’s a completely understandable, and even a rational fear.
But ticks don’t instantly transmit disease. And this works in your favor.
Lyme disease bacteria live in the tick's gut, not its saliva. When a tick begins feeding, it takes time for the bacteria to migrate from the gut to the salivary glands and into your bloodstream. That takes about 24 hours at a minimum, often more like 36 to 48 hours in practice.
If you find and remove a tick within the first 24 hours, your risk of Lyme disease drops substantially. That’s why daily tick checks after spending time outdoors are one of the most effective prevention measures available. It’s always wise to check around the hairline, behind the ears, under the arms, behind the knees, and around the waistband, as these are all places ticks like to latch on.
However, you should know that not all ticks are easy to spot. Nymph ticks, the juvenile stage of the blacklegged tick, are roughly the size of a poppy seed. They’re very small and can often feed without being noticed. About 20% of nymph ticks in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast carry Lyme disease bacteria, and nymphs are responsible for most human infections.
If you happen to find a tick on your body (or a child or pet), remove it immediately with fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp as close to the skin as possible and pull straight up with steady pressure. Don't twist or jerk. Then clean the area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Make a note of the date and location of the bite, and watch for symptoms over the next 30 days, including a rash at the bite site, fever, headache, and joint pain.
If you’re a Central Virginia homeowner and you want to reduce the number of ticks in your yard,Mosquito Squad of Central Virginia can help. This can be done through barrier treatments that help reduce tick and mosquito populations by up to 85-90% throughout the active season. A trained technician will first identify high-risk areas on your property. Then they’ll apply targeted treatments every 21 days.
