In which phase of a tick life is he the most dangerous for man? Before the arachnid reaches maturity, it goes through several developmental stages, and in most of them can carry diseases.
Although the bite by ticks is not dangerous, these arachnids can transfer a number of dangerous diseases. It is estimated that they are vectors of hundreds of species of viruses, protozoa and bacteria. Not every individual is a carrier of all pathogens, but we should not underestimate the threat associated with the bite.
The tick cycle consists of four stages – eggs, larvae, nymphs and an adult. According to the European Disease Prevention and Control Center (ECDC), the arachnids can bite and move diseases at the last three stages, i.e. for most of their lives. The individual must feed with blood so that there is a moult or, in an adult form, laying eggs.
Which form is the most dangerous?
The sizes of ticks can make them difficult to notice. The larvae are tiny – they look like dark dust particles with the naked eye – and the nymphs are the size of the head from the pin. The National Institute of Public Health explained that at this stage ticks are particularly dangerous, because due to the small size and slightly transparent bodies it is difficult to notice. This extends the time of being in the skin of man, and thus also the likelihood of infection.
“The risk of developing Lyme disease after a tick prick is assessed on average at 2.6 percent and depends on the time of feeding on the skin: from 2 percent if it is shorter than 12 hours to 5.2 percent after four days,” experts wrote.
Adults have eight legs and have the size of small spiders. After eating blood, the female can grow significantly, even to the size of the pea.
Information about ticksState forests
Source of the main photo: Adobe Stock