Tick & Mite.

Mites.

Mites are 1/64 inch to 1/8 inch (0.4 to 3 mm) in length. Some species of mites live on land, others in water. Some are agricultural pests, feeding on crops and the leaves of fruit trees. Some species carry disease-producing microorganisms; one species causes mange in vertebrates. Other species of mites are beneficial, preying on aphid eggs and nematode worms. The most commonly encountered mites, including those that can adversely affect human health, 

CLOVER MITES (Bryobia spp.)

This mite sometimes enters homes and other buildings by the thousands, causing panic among residents. Though they do not bite or cause health-related problems, clover mites can be a nuisance. If smashed when they crawl over carpets and drapery, the mites leave a red stain. Clover mites can be red, green or brown, and have front legs that are about twice as long as their other legs. They feed on clover, ivy, grasses, fruit trees and other plants. Well-fertilized lawns are favored. Clover mites enter homes when their food plants are removed or dry up. They are most active in fall, and will seek refuge in structures as colder weather approaches, when molting (shedding skin) and when laying eggs. Typical of many mite species, all clover mites are females capable of laying viable eggs without fertilization. They have no need for male mites!

HOUSE DUST MITES (Dermatophagoides spp.)

Much information (and misinformation) has appeared in recent years about house dust mites. Virtually invisible to the naked eye, house dust mites are nevertheless real. It has been shown that, like cockroaches, dust mites and their feces can become airborne and are one of the most common indoor allergens. That is, most persons diagnosed as being allergic to “house dust” are actually allergic to the dust mites whose bodies and feces are major components of dust. Roaches and dust mites have also been implicated in triggering asthma attacks. But, unlike rodent mites, itch mites and chiggers, skin irritation is rarely caused by exposure to dust mites. Although they may “hitchhike” on clothing, dust mites do not live on people. They feed primarily on dander, flakes of dead skin that fall from people and animals. Upholstered furniture, pillows and mattresses typically harbor more dust mites than carpeting.

ITCH MITES (Pyemotes spp.)

These mites prey upon insects. Species including the straw itch mite (P. tritici) infest stored products. Humans are bitten when they contact straw, hay, grasses, leaves, seeds or similar materials harboring the mites. Another species (P. herfsi) also attacks insects living in sheltered locations, including the larvae of midges (gnat-like flies) in leaf galls, and the eggs of cicadas beneath tree bark. When separated from their insect prey, itch mites may contact and bite other animals including humans. 

The mites cannot be seen and the bites are not felt, but leave itchy red marks that can resemble a skin rash. When itch mite populations ‘explode,’ people and other animals may receive numerous bites. Fortunately, the mites cannot live on humans, do not survive indoors, and are not known to transmit disease. 

CHIGGERS (Eutrombicula spp)

The nymph and adult stages prey on insects. It is the six-legged larval stage that typically feeds on rodents or ground dwelling birds but will bite people when they are available. Chigger larvae are red to yellow in color and appear as scarcely visible specks. When they detect the carbon dioxide exhaled by an animal, they climb on soil or vegetation and wave their front legs to contact it, then grasp it with their mouthparts. They do not suck blood but cut into the skin, inject skin-digesting saliva and suck up the liquefied skin. If not dislodged, the chigger will feed for several days. The bite becomes inflamed, hardens and itches. Chiggers spend most of their lives in cracks in the soil. They are typically found in rural, less disturbed areas, but can persist for years on soil in new subdivisions.

SCABIES MITES (Sarcoptes scabiei)

Sarcoptes scabiei are mites that infest mammals, including man. Most human infestations result from person-to-person contact. Although they can transfer from animals to humans and vice versa, several types of scabies mites exist, each having a preferred host species on which it reproduces. In dogs, scabies mites cause mange. Scabies is the most common and important condition resulting from mite infestation of humans. Unlike other mites, scabies mites actually burrow and produce tunnels one centimeter or more in length just below the surface of the skin, in which they lay eggs. The mites are believed to feed on skin and secretions. The entire life cycle (10-17 days for human-infesting scabies mites) is spent on their host. Without a host, they survive only a few days. In previously unexposed individuals, a scabies infestation may go unnoticed for more than a month. Then, severe irritation and itching develops, especially at night.

Tick

Types of tick : soft tick & hard tick.

Hard tick adult males and females have different coloration and females are somewhat larger than males. Hard ticks have a “plate” on their back that is called a scutum. Also, hard ticks have mouthparts that are visible when the tick is viewed from above.

Soft ticks appear to have a wrinkled body, lack a scutum, and the males and females are very close to the same size. Viewing a soft tick from above would give someone the impression that soft ticks do not have mouthparts. However, that is not the case; rather their mouthparts are located on the underside of the body so that the front portion of the tick’s body hides the mouthparts.

Did you know?

Ticks are 1/8 inch to 1 1/8 inch (3 to 29 mm) in length. Ticks live on land, primarily in woods and pastures. Ticks are bloodsucking parasites that can carry disease-producing microorganisms, which they transmit to mammals, birds, and reptiles through a bite in the skin.

Ticks rarely move more than three feet above the ground and cannot jump or fly. However, they can attach to birds, mice, deer, chipmunks, skunks, rabbits, humans and many other animals. they have also been detected in the sea. 

Ticks thrive in humidity and live in areas close to their potential hosts, eg: leaf litter, ends of grass, attached to animals and respond to exhaled carbon dioxide and body heat. They use chemosensors to actually locate a host. They attach to a host by a “stinger” and release an anesthetic compound to prevent the host from feeling the bite. As the tick feeds, a cement-like substance is secreted from the saliva to enhance its capacity to adhere to the skin and extract a blood meal. Ticks also secrete a substance at the site of attachment which functions as an “anesthetic” and allows their presence to go rather unnoticed by the host.

Life cycle of tick

They have 4 life stages including egg, 6 legged larvae, 8 legged nymph, and 8 legged adult. The larvae, nymph and adult stages can all carry and transmit infection. The life cycle of a tick is about two years barring the effects of global warming which may elongate their life cycle. 

The various ticks known to cause disease include Ixodes scapularis (deer tick) generally found in the northeast and upper Midwest and can carryBorrelia, Babesia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Powassan Encephalitis, tick paralysis, Tularemia, Bartonella and Mycoplasma infections.

Managing tick and mite

• Ticks: Ticks should be manually removed from the reptile using small forceps or tweezers. 
• Grab the tick by the head or mouth parts right where they enter the skin. Do not grasp the tick by the body. 
• Without jerking, pull firmly and steadily directly outward. Do not twist the tick as you are pulling. 
• Using methods such as applying petroleum jelly, a hot match, or alcohol will NOT cause the tick to 'back out.' In fact, these irritants may cause the tick to deposit more disease-carrying saliva in the wound. 
• After removing the tick, place it in a jar of alcohol to kill it. Ticks are NOT killed by flushing them down the toilet. 
• Wash your hands thoroughly. 
• Please do not use your fingers to remove or dispose of the tick. We do not want you in contact with a potentially disease-carrying tick. Do NOT squash the tick with your fingers. The contents of the tick can transmit disease. 
• Turtles and tortoises should NEVER be treated with ivermectin; it is toxic in those species. 
• Snakes and lizards with ticks may also be treated with ivermectin (although this is an off-label use), especially if the ticks are located in areas where they are difficult to remove (e.g., the nostrils). Your veterinarian will be able to prescribe the correct dilution and dose for the medication. 
• Mites: There are numerous treatments used to eliminate mites from reptiles. Many of them can be hazardous to the animal if not applied correctly. Always consult with your veterinarian before using any insecticide/pesticide on your reptile. 
• Water baths: Soaking a reptile in a lukewarm water bath for twenty minutes will drown the mites on the animal's body, but not affect those on the animal's head. 
• Olive oil: Olive oil can be applied to the entire animal. It works by smothering the mites, but it can be messy. . 
• Cyfluthrin: Cyfluthrin can be used to safely treat the premises and eradicate ticks from a tortoise facility. 
• In addition to treating the animal, the cage should be cleaned on a regular basis, disinfecting it with a diluted bleach solution (1-3 ounces of household bleach to one quart of water). 

Most mite and tick infestations are found on newly acquired reptiles. If you are adding a reptile to your collection, remember to quarantine it away from the other reptiles for at least 1 month. Ticks, especially, can travel fairly large distances (into other rooms) and can accidentally be transferred to other animals on your clothing or other items. Always feed, clean the cage, handle that reptile last, etc., and wash hands and utensils well afterward.

Relieving the Itch of Mite Bites

When mites attach to skin, the saliva they secrete causes the intense itch that may be felt for several days after the mite is no longer attached. As soon as possible after walking through chigger-infested areas or being exposed to other mites, you should bathe in hot, soapy water and scrub down with a wash cloth. Oral antihistamines and/or application of a hydrocortisone cream to bites may help to relieve itching. If you develop a severe reaction, then consult your physician. 

THANK YOU!