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Ticks

Identification

Behaviour

Signs of Infestation

Health Risks

Prevention Tips

Common Tick Species in Sri Lanka

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Ticks are small, blood-sucking parasites that can infest humans, animals, and even birds in Sri Lanka.

Identification

Physical description: Ticks are wingless arachnids related to spiders and mites. They have flattened, oval-shaped bodies that expand when engorged with blood. Adult ticks are typically 3-10mm long, but engorged females can grow much larger. Their mouthparts are specialized for piercing skin and sucking blood.
Habitat: Ticks are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, scrublands, and even urban areas with overgrown vegetation. They prefer areas with high humidity and moderate temperatures.
Feeding habits: Ticks are obligate blood feeders, meaning they need to feed on blood to survive. They wait on vegetation, brush against passing animals or humans, and latch onto a host to feed for several days until engorged.

Behaviour

Life cycle: Ticks undergo a complex life cycle with four stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Depending on the species, the entire life cycle can take several months to over a year.
Activity patterns: Ticks are most active during warm, humid weather. They are particularly active at dawn, dusk, and after rainfall when humidity is high.

Signs of Infestation

Visual signs: Finding a tick attached to your skin or your pet’s fur is the most obvious sign of infestation. You might also notice red, itchy bumps at the site of tick bites.
Behavioral signs: Restlessness and scratching in pets can indicate tick infestation.

Health Risks

Ticks in Sri Lanka can transmit various diseases to humans and animals, including:

Spotted fever group rickettsiosis: This bacterial infection causes fever, headache, muscle aches, and a rash.
Babesiosis: This parasitic disease affects red blood cells and can cause fever, fatigue, hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells), and dark urine.
Anaplasmosis: Another bacterial infection causing fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and loss of appetite.

Prevention Tips

Avoid tall grass and overgrown areas when outdoors.
Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when hiking or spending time in tick-infested areas.
Use insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin.
Perform regular tick checks on yourself and your pets after spending time outdoors.
Treat pets with veterinarian-approved tick prevention medication.

Common Tick Species in Sri Lanka

Dermacentor auratus: Commonly found on humans and animals, known to transmit spotted fever rickettsiosis.
Amblyomma testudinarium: Another common tick on humans and animals.
Haemaphysalis intermedia: Primarily infests domestic animals and wildlife, but can also bite humans.
Rhipicephalus microplus: Primarily a parasite of cattle, but can bite humans.

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