What to do if you spot a tick? Here’s how to remove them safely

They may give you the ick, but if removed safely, ticks usually don’t pose any medical problems, according to the Australian Department of Health. But there are some rare occasions when these small freeloaders* can affect human health in big ways.

WHAT ARE TICKS?
Ticks are bloodsucking parasites* that live on animals like birds, mammals, and even humans. There are more than 900 tick species in the world, with more than 70 of them found in Australia. Of these, 17 can attach and feed on humans, with only six of these species capable of spreading disease to a person.

WHAT PROBLEMS CAN TICKS CAUSE?
When ticks bite, they can cause a few problems:

Allergic reactions: Some people can have severe allergic reactions, even leading to an emergency called anaphylaxis*. This can happen if you’re allergic to tick bites or certain foods like mammalian* meat.

Paralysis*: This is very rare, but some ticks, like the Australian paralysis tick, can cause paralysis if they stay attached for a long time.

Other diseases: Some ticks can spread diseases like Q fever* and different types of spotted fever*.

TYPES OF AUSTRALIAN TICKS
Hard ticks: These are the ones that usually bite humans. They have a tough, flat body and long mouths with rows of backwards facing teeth. They can be found in the bush or even urban areas.

Three common hard ticks known to feed on humans are the Australian paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus), the ornate kangaroo tick (Amblyomma triguttatum), and the southern reptile tick.

Soft ticks: These are rare in Australia and prefer hiding in animal nests.

HOW DO TICKS ATTACK?
Ticks detect their hosts through things like body heat, odour and breath. Once they find a host, they attach themselves and start feeding by injecting their saliva. Their saliva is a venom* that has special properties that make it hard for us to notice they’re biting.

In the saliva proteins of ticks there are properties that are: anaesthetic* (numbing), anticoagulant* (making blood clotting more difficult), vasodilatory* (widening of blood vessels), anti-inflammatory* (reduces redness, swelling and pain) and immunosuppressant* (inhibit or prevent activity in the host immune system).

THE AUSTRALIAN PARALYSIS TICK
This tick can cause severe effects like anaphylaxis and paralysis.

It’s found mainly on the east coast of Australia and is responsible for most tick-related illnesses.

They’re tiny at first but can grow when they feed on blood.

PARALYSIS TICK LIFE CYCLE
The Australian paralysis tick follows a four-stage life cycle: from egg to six-legged larvae* (around 1mm), eight-legged nymphs* (about 2mm), and finally, eight-legged adults (4–5mm long without blood).

Engorged* female ticks turn grey-blue and grow up to 1cm long. After feeding, they detach, drop into vegetation*, and moult to the next stage or, if female, lay thousands of eggs at ground level before dying. Adult female ticks in Australia feed for about eight days before laying eggs and completing their life cycle.

HOW THEY FEED
Paralysis ticks, confined to lower vegetation, latch onto passing hosts, often targeting behind the ears or areas of thin skin.

Using barbed* mouthparts, they inject an anaesthetic-laden saliva, feeding continuously for days. In this process, they transmit allergens* and infections by ingesting and passing pathogens* to new hosts through saliva. Female paralysis ticks also inject neurotoxins*, similar to Botox*, inducing paralysis.

WHERE ARE TICKS FOUND?
Ticks like hanging out in overgrown areas and places with tall grass, especially in wet and humid* areas. If you live close to these spots, you might find ticks in your garden, school and local playgrounds.

Ticks are more active during certain seasons, especially when it’s humid after rain. Tick season in Australia is usually from July to December, but you can find them at any time of the year.

HOW TO PREVENT TICK BITES
There are ways to stay safe from ticks, like wearing long clothes when going to tick-prone areas and using insect repellents*.

WHAT IF I FIND A TICK ON ME?
Tell a grown up and let them know that the National Allergy Council advises against touching or forcibly removing ticks, which can result in increased saliva injection.

To safely remove ticks, freezing is recommended over squeezing. Ether-containing sprays* effectively freeze and kill ticks. These sprays can be purchased by your parent or guardian at the chemist.

Have an adult apply around five sprays, wait a few minutes, and check the tick for any signs of leg movement. If the tick is motionless, it’s likely dead and will fall off. If not, you might need to see a doctor to get it safely removed.

Avoid using household tweezers* as they may squeeze allergen-containing saliva*, even from dead ticks. If no ether spray is available, seeking medical assistance for tick removal is best.

RISK TO PETS
It’s not just humans that ticks like to feed on. Pets are also at risk, with smaller ones facing the most danger from these bloodsuckers.

Head of Emergency and Critical Care at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney Dr Samantha Livingstone said the best way to protect furry friends from tick bites is to give your pet a special medication that prevents the tick from attaching to them.

“Your mum or dad can buy this from a vet or pet shop,” Dr Livingstone said. “All pets are at risk of being bitten by ticks, from cats all the way up to horses. We mostly worry about smaller animals like cats and dogs being bitten by paralysis ticks, which can make the dog or cat very sick and unable to walk or breathe properly.

“There are other types of ticks around Australia that can also carry diseases. This is why we recommend that pets receive tick preventatives* regularly.”

Dr Livingstone said if you ever find a tick attached to your pet you should tell your parents straightaway so they can safely remove it.

“You should also visit your local vet to check if you should do anything else,” she said. “They will likely ask you some questions about your pet, examine your pet and let you know if any treatment is required.”

Information on ticks for this article was sourced from The Australian Department of Health.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• freeloaders: creatures that live off others without giving anything in return
• parasites: organisms that live in or on another organism and harm it
• anaphylaxis: a severe allergic reaction that needs urgent medical attention
• mammalian: anything relating to mammals, which are animals (including humans) that feed their young on milk from the female mother’s body
• paralysis: being unable to move or feel part of the body
• Q fever: a disease caused by bacteria transmitted by animals that can cause severe flu-like illness
• spotted fever: a group of infectious diseases causing fever and rashes
• venom: poisonous substance produced by animals
• anaesthetic: something that numbs or dulls sensation
• anticoagulant: a substance that prevents blood from clotting
• vasodilatory: causing blood vessels to widen
• anti-inflammatory: reducing redness, swelling, and pain
• immunosuppressant: reducing the activity of the immune system
• larvae: early stage in the life cycle of ticks, resembling small worms
• nymphs: young ticks that have not yet reached adulthood
• engorged: filled to excess, often used to describe a tick filled with blood
• allergens: substances that cause allergic reactions
• pathogens: microorganisms causing disease
• neurotoxins: toxins that affect the nervous system
• Botox: a toxin used in cosmetic procedures to temporarily paralyse muscles
• vegetation: plants in general, especially when they are growing in a particular area
• barbed: having small, hooked projections
• humid: damp or moist, often referring to the weather
• repellents: substances that keep something away
• ether-containing sprays: sprays containing a chemical compound used to freeze and kill ticks
• allergen-containing saliva: Tick saliva that may contain substances causing allergic reactions
• tweezers: small, pincer-like tools used for grasping small objects
• tick preventatives: medication you give your pet that repels ticks

EXTRA READING
Blood-sucking evolution of mozzies
Strange use for caterpillar venom
Plague of ‘zombie’ pee champions

QUICK QUIZ
1. Which ticks usually bite humans?
2. What is the name of the type of tick that injects neurotoxins when it attaches?
3. What is the safest way to remove a tick?
4. How long do adult ticks in Australia feed for before laying eggs?
5. When are ticks more active?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Tick off
Your beloved, small, fluffy dog is looking sick and not breathing properly. You saw a little insect on it, and after reading this article, suspect it could be a tick bite.

Outline what you do next to save your furry friend;

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–

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Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science, Health and Physical Education, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

2. Extension
Make a “How to Stay Safe from Ticks!” poster

Include:

• Tick bite prevention (clothing, checking skin, avoiding tall grass)
• How to remove a tick safely
• What to do if you feel sick after a tick bite

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

VCOP ACTIVITY
I spy nouns
Nouns are places, names (of people and objects), and time (months or days of the week).

How many nouns can you find in the article?

Can you sort them into places, names and time?

Pick three nouns and add an adjective (describing word) to the nouns.