Sunday May 12

[Petr Folwarczny]

Hello everyone. I’m sorry I couldn’t help with organizing the trailer and assembling the PW5 on Saturday. Today (Sunday) at the airport, despite the nice, albeit slightly windy weather, three of us showed up. Why? If we don’t fly and practice in all weather conditions, we won’t gain enough experience, and that also relates to flight safety. But that’s not what I wanted to write about. During the work around my glider and after returning home, I found two ticks on my body. Therefore, I recommend that after every stay at the airport, you check yourself at home to see if you have any ticks attached to your body. Have a nice weekend, Petr.

[Rich Walenda]

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<h1>Here is some information regarding ticks.</h1>
<h1 id=”main” class=”cmp-title__text”>Although at least 15 species of ticks occur in Illinois, only a few of these ticks are likely to be encountered by people: American dog tick, lone star tick, blacklegged (deer) tick, brown dog tick and winter tick.</h1>
<h1 class=”cmp-title__text”>Tick Identification</h1>
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This key is intended to aid in the identification of unfed ADULT ticks. Ticks shorter than 3mm (1/8-inch) are usually immature and more difficult to identify. These should be sent to experts.

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1. Does the rear edge of the tick appear segmented with several square plates known as festoons?
   (See illustration to the right.)
   YES: Go to 3.NO: Go to 2.
2. Are the mouthparts long, narrow and visible from above the tick?
   YES: This may be a blacklegged tick, also know as the “deer tick” (Ixodes scapularis). Blacklegged ticks are most common in northern Illinois and around river corridors. They range from dark brown to bright red and have black legs. These ticks can transmit Lyme and other diseases. However, because there are many similar Ixodes species, they should be sent to an expert for species identification.
   NO: This is a “soft tick” (Argasidae). These ticks are soft, while all other ticks mentioned here are “hard ticks.” Soft ticks rarely, if ever, transmit disease in Illinois. They are often associated with domestic birds upon which they feed.
   (See illustration to the right.)
3. Are there irregular silvery white marks in the center of the tick’s back?
   YES: This is an American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) , the most common tick found throughout Illinois. It usually feeds on dogs and other small mammals, but will bite people and occasionally transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. The silvery-white marks streak across the backs of males from the edges of the scutum to the rear end (see illustration below). On females, the silvery-white marks are found only on the scutum. These ticks are oval shaped and their mouthparts are relatively short and broad.
   NO: Go to 4.
4. Are there white markings on the rear margin of the tick’s back OR a single white spot in the center of the back?

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YES: This is the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) . These ticks are more common in the southern half of Illinois. They have long, narrow mouthparts (as in the illustration above) and their bodies are somewhat round in shape rather than oval-shaped like other ticks. Lone star ticks can transmit tularemia and other diseases including one similar to Lyme disease but milder.
NO: This may be a brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) . The brown dog tick is oval in shape and has shorter and thicker mouthparts than some other ticks. It feeds primarily on dogs and can be found in kennels and other places where dogs live. Of the ticks mentioned here, this is the only tick that can reproduce and become problem indoors. This tick seldom bites or transmits disease to people.

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The Adult Female, Adult Male, Nymph and Larva of Ticks Most Likely to be Found on People in Illinois (from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

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Even if a tick is attached, it must have taken a blood meal to transmit Lyme disease. At least 36 to 48 hours of feeding is typically required for a tick to have fed and then transmit the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. After this amount of time, the tick will be engorged (full of blood).

Why are Ticks Dangerous?
When ticks bite, they can also infect their host with whatever virus or bacteria they are carrying, causing a serious infection in the host. Not every tick carries these diseases, so not every tick bite will get you sick. However, these illnesses are significant and will require immediate medical attention at the first sign of symptoms.

Here are some of the more serious common tick-borne diseases in Illinois:

Lyme disease – Lyme disease is a bacterial infection carried by ticks found in the northeastern and north-central United States, including Illinois. The most noticeable symptom of Lyme disease is a a red bulls-eye rash appearing at the bite mark within days of being infected. Other symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, headache, and joint pain. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as the flu; it is crucial to get proper medical attention before the symptoms get more severe.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever – The Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a bacterial infection transmitted by the American dog tick and Lone Star tick into humans. Symptoms include a sudden moderate or high fever, headache, fatigue, and a rash that starts on the limbs and may spread to your palms or soles of your feet. Symptoms appear within two weeks of infection.

Ehrlichiosis – Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial illness carried by ticks found in Great Lakes region, including northern Illinois. Symptoms of this disease include muscle aches, fever, and headaches. Symptoms are usually mild and can appear 1-3 weeks after the tick bites.

Powassan – Powassan is a tick-borne virus found in the Northeast and Great Lakes areas. This disease infects a patient’s nervous system, causing inflammation of the brain and meningitis. Unlike the bacterial infections listed above, Powassan has no known treatment. Symptoms include headaches, vomiting, confusion, difficulty speaking or walking, and seizures.

Many of these illnesses share similar symptoms with each other and with less severe ailments like the flu. If you discover a tick biting you, find a rash, or are concerned you may have come in contact with a tick, consult a medical provider immediately. Blood tests can reveal if you are infected, and it is best to start treatments as soon as possible to minimize the effects.

Where do ticks live?
Since there is no vaccination for most of these diseases, the best way to protect yourself is to avoid tick-infested areas. Ticks like to hide on tall vegetation, where they can jump onto animals or clothing that brushes up close by. You’ll find a greater concentration in heavily wooded areas, parks, and nature trails. In your backyard, ticks can be found in high grasses and landscape shrubs, as well as piles of leaves.

How to Avoid Ticks
Safety Precautions
When you walk or go on a hike in a forest preserve, stick to the trails and avoid tall vegetation. Avid hikers are known to wear tucked-in long sleeve shirts with their pants tucked into their socks to avoid any potential bare skin.

 

Check for Ticks
If you know you or your family has been in a place where ticks live, you’ll want to perform a thorough tick inspection of your clothing and skin. Ticks like to hide in hard-to-reach areas, including but not limited to the scalp, neck, ears, armpits, and groin. Be sure to also check your children and pets.

Remove Ticks Immediately
If you find a tick crawling around, remove immediately and destroy. If you find a tick that’s attached itself by biting you, you’ll need to use tweezers to remove the tick by pulling upwards. Make sure you get the whole tick, as the head can break off and be left within your skin. To remove ticks from clothing, first wash them in hot water and then place the clothing in a dryer set to dry on high heat for a minimum of 10-15 minutes.

I hope this information helps you makes you more aware of the tick problem and why wearing shorts may be a bad idea at the glider club.

Regards,

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Rich

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