Ticks: Exploring their Life Cycle and Habits

The Scientific Classification of Ticks

Where do ticks come from? These creeping crawling critters aren’t classified as bugs or insects, so where do they belong? You might be surprised to learn that ticks are in the arachnid family.

It sounds bizarre, but they’re related to scorpions, mites, and spiders. It may seem odd that entomologists lumped them into this category, but it’s all about their body structure.

Body Distinctions

Insects have three distinct body segments: the head, thorax, and abdomen. Ticks don’t fit into this classification, as they only have two: the cephalothorax and the abdomen.

Insects typically have six legs, but the arachnids have eight. Shockingly, the tick might be tiny, but it has eight legs. The mouth is another area where there are differences between ticks and insects. Their small mouths are designed to suck blood, so they have a device in their mouth that allows them to pierce the skin of their host.

The structure inside their mouth is called the hypostome. Using this part, they can anchor themselves on their prey, stab their skin, and feed on the blood. Insects don’t have this ability, as their mouths only allow them to chew or suck the liquid from their food.

Ticks are classified as arachnids due to their body structure, number of legs, specialized mouthparts, and life cycle. These characteristics are not like those of insects. Understanding these distinctions is essential for pest management and preventative strategies.

 

The Lifecycle of Ticks

Egg

A tick’s lifecycle is like that of its cousins, the arachnids. Ticks start as eggs. A female carefully chooses a moist place to lay her eggs. Additionally, the area must have shelter, such as near a wood pile with leaves around or within the cracks of your home.

Each species can lay a different number of eggs, but typically, they can lay thousands at once. Ironically, the eggs are so small that you can’t see them with the naked eye, which means you have no clue they’re in your home. Despite their tiny size, these eggs are quite hardy.

In the wild, they can survive harsh weather but will not hatch until warmer months. Therefore, the time it takes them to hatch depends on the climate when they are laid.

Larva

The larva is what the eggs become once they hatch. Like most babies, these tiny critters are ravenous when they emerge. Since a tick drinks blood, they’re not picky about their host.

The tiny larva will latch onto any small animal, which includes mice, rats, birds, reptiles, dogs, or cats, that come around them. Once they’ve become engorged from a full belly, they fall from their hosts and start the molting process. The next stage in their metamorphosis is to become nymphs.

Nymphs

It’s easiest to classify the nymphs as teenagers to help you understand their process. Like teens, they’re somewhere between being a child and an adult. Their size changes as they’re bigger than they were as larvae, but they’re still so tiny that they’re easily overlooked.

Regardless of the stage, the tiny ticks are out for blood, as they need it to fuel their growth and development. Once again, the nymph will look for a host to feed them, eat until they’re engorged, and then drop off to finish the final step in their metamorphosis.

Adults

The last morph will change the nymphs into adults. At this point, they’re fully grown and have a size and appearance that makes them easily noticeable. Since there are various species in New Jersey, the size of the adult tick can be anywhere from the head of a pencil eraser to as small as a pinhead. It all depends on their genetic makeup.

The entire life cycle of a tick can take anywhere from several weeks to several years, as it all depends on many factors, like the species, current environmental conditions, and the availability of hosts. Additionally, ticks are incredibly resilient creatures that can survive in various habitats and climates.

Reproduction

The fully developed adults are now ready to take on the world and start reproducing. To mate, they need to be filled with blood, and they can’t begin their duties as tick growers until this first meal happens. Once they are engorged, the female tick will look for a mate that she can use to fertilize her eggs. Thus, the life cycle occurs all over again.

The life cycle of these tiny creatures is both complex and fascinating. Shockingly, ticks play a vital role in the ecosystem. They may be a nuisance to you and your pets, but they are an essential food source for birds, reptiles, and other animals. Understanding their life cycle and taking proper precautions can minimize the risk of tick-borne illnesses and allow you to coexist safely.

Interesting Habits

Ticks are small but mighty. To stay alive and thrive in the wild, they need to develop behaviors that keep them safe. Their unique strategies for survival are what make them so resilient. Here are a few habits to note.

Hunting

Thinking of something so small as a stealthy hunter might seem like a far stretch. However, ticks use questing techniques to find their next meal. What is questing? Well, they climb over things such as grass, trees, shrubs, and other vegetation. Then, they stretch their legs out as far as they go.

Their legs are outstretched, which helps them feel for a host. Anything that brushes by this tiny leg will be the tick’s next meal. The tick will feel something brush across its leg and latch on quickly. Since ticks are so small and don’t have much energy, questing allows them to find their next meal without using too much of their energy reserves.

Selecting a Host

Ticks can’t afford to be picky about their hosts; they must take whatever they can find. Deer ticks, for instance, prefer to use smaller hosts like rodents and mammals. However, the lone star ticks prefer cattle, deer, and humans.

Having a palette that can feast on a wide array of hosts allows them to adapt to whatever environment they find themselves in.

The Feeding Process

While we’ve already covered that ticks use a mouthpart called the hypostomes to eat, there’s much more to the story. When the tick finds its host, it sinks this part into the skin. However, they also secrete a substance that prevents blood clotting.

Since humans and animals alike have a mechanism that prevents them from bleeding too much, the clotting factors can stop the tick’s meal. So, they must secrete this substance to help the blood flow. Isn’t nature fascinating?

Lastly, the mouthpart they use has barbs on it that face backward. These specialized barbs help them to anchor themselves, so they don’t fall while feeding. As they eat, their body swells and becomes engorged with blood. Their physical appearance changes dramatically.

A feeding session usually takes a few minutes, but it can take several days for an older tick. The younger nymphs can’t hold the blood of the adults, so thus the feeding times are shortened.

Spreading Diseases

You know that tick bites can be pretty dangerous. These little critters can carry a variety of pathogens that are very dangerous to their hosts. The time they’re latched and the diseases the specific tick carries all matter when considering transmission.

If a tick is infected with a disease, the disease is transferred to each host it bites. Some of the most common tick-borne illnesses are Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and anaplasmosis. Lyme disease is transferred by black-legged ticks, which are also called deer ticks in some areas.

If you, your child, or your animal have been bitten by one of these ticks, it’s essential to have a medical evaluation immediately. Ticks can make you sick, and you don’t want to take a chance.

Seasonal Preferences

Ticks can survive in any climate, but they aren’t as active in the winter months. Survival doesn’t mean they like the weather, so they will burrow until the environment becomes milder. Typically, ticks start coming out around the spring months and disappear in the fall.

They’re active for around 6-7 months out of the year. You’re more likely to have an issue with them during these times as they’re hunting for a new host. However, remember that the deer tick can be active all year, and if there’s an unseasonably warm winter, all bets are off!

Preferred Environments

Just like humans, ticks have preferred places to live and sleep. In contrast, they don’t build unique colonies or have a nest. Where they lay their eggs is their home base. Now, they have preferences regarding where this location will be, such as a wooded area.

The deer tick or black-legged variety loves bushes and dense vegetation. However, the dog tick prefers more suburban environments. Ticks need a high moisture level to survive, which is why they are always found near lakes, ponds, and leaf litter. The moisture from these areas allows them to thrive.

The habits of ticks are fascinating. Over the centuries, these creepy crawlers have developed strategies to help them adapt to the changing weather and survive among predators. Understanding these unique habits enables you to keep your family and pets safe.

Common Ticks Found in New Jersey

Part of being proactive about ticks in New Jersey is knowing what tiny bloodsuckers you’re fighting. Since not all ticks are created equal, it’s essential to know what species and the health risks that come with them might be lurking in your backyard.

Deer Tick

We’ve talked about this tick a lot, and it’s important to note it goes by two names. It’s the one that transfers Lyme disease, so you should always be on guard. They hang out in wooded areas and love to anchor themselves to the tips of grass blades.

American Dog Tick

The American dog tick, another prevalent species in New Jersey, is much larger than deer ticks. Thankfully, they don’t transmit Lyme disease but carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Lone Star Tick

The lone star tick has a white spot on the back that’s hard to deny. They are known to be aggressive regarding feeding and carry several diseases. Males don’t have the signature white spot, as this is only a characteristic of females.

Brown Dog Tick

You’ll commonly find this flea on dogs, where it got its name. These ticks are more commonly seen in suburban areas, as they like to infest homes and animal kennels. Thankfully, they don’t transmit Lyme disease, but they do carry other dangerous pathogens that can be harmful to dogs.

Enjoying the Great Outdoors

Now that you’ve had a quick course in tick biology and behavior, you can better protect your family and pets. When you go out into the woods, wear long sleeves and pants to ensure you don’t bring anything home.

Second, using a repellent spray that contains DEET will help you when you’re outside for long periods. While it’s uncommon, you can get an infestation in your home. Should you need assistance with such a pest, you can call us.

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Termites and flying ants: What’s the difference?
Carpenter bees and bumble bees: What’s the difference?

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Six Common Ticks Found in And Around New Jersey