Are there ticks in a coniferous forest: why are "bloodsuckers" so afraid of thorny trees
Ticks are arachnids that are characterized by a very hard shell and strong scissor-like jaws. This organ allows them to effectively suck blood and tissue fluids. They live in grasses and low bushes, looking for a convenient place to jump on the owner.
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Types of ticks dangerous to humans and domestic animals
Among ticks living in Russia, the greatest danger is:
- taiga;
- borreliosis;
- canine.
The taiga tick lives in the taiga, where mainly coniferous trees grow. The territory of its distribution is Siberia, Moscow and Leningrad regions, Altai. This mite is also found in mixed and deciduous forests.
The dog tick is dangerous not only for four-legged animals, but also for humans. It is found mainly in mixed and broad-leaved forests, but the probability of "catching" it in a pine forest is not so small.
The borreliosis tick is found in the Krasnodar Territory, Moscow and the Moscow region.
Where are dangerous ticks found?
Their range is very large because parasites thrive in many climates, including temperate climates.
Ticks without a portion of fresh blood can live up to 2-3 years, and you can get rid of those on clothes only by washing at a temperature of 60 degrees!
The only condition that inhibits their activity is low temperature, which drops below 8 degrees Celsius for at least a few days.
Where are they hiding
Contrary to popular belief, ticks do not fall from trees, but most often live in tall grass, so their bites are most often located in the popliteal, peripheral region.
They can be found not only in forests and meadows, but also in city parks and squares, and even in household plots. They are dangerous for both adults and children. They also pose a threat to domestic animals (four-footed animals are mainly loved by meadow mites, which prefer hairy skin).
How they attack
When a tick finds a host (it can do this even from a distance of 30 m), its hooked legs attach to its skin.
- Then he looks for a place with the thinnest skin, well vascularized and moist, and pierces it.
- It releases an anesthetic, which means that the victim is not always aware of the arachnid invasion.
- The longer it stays in a person's skin, the higher the risk of disease transmission.
Where are the most ticks
In deciduous and mixed forests, where, in addition, there is a high level of humidity, ideal conditions for ticks. They are also often found in cottages, gardens, parks.
If we talk about the prevalence of parasites on the territory of Russia, then the dog and forest ticks are most common.
The taiga tick is common in Siberia and the Far East. In the European part of Russia, the dog encephalitis tick is often found.
Pasture and burrow parasites
Pasture mites lay their eggs in the upper soil layer, in the root system of pasture flora, in cracks in buildings. They are divided into 3 groups: single-host, two-host, three-host. Burrow parasites lay their eggs in animal burrows and bird nests.
Are there ticks in the pine forest
The season of activity of bloodsuckers is from early spring to autumn. They can be found everywhere, including in the pine forest. They wake up in spring at a temperature of 3 degrees above zero, become active at 10 degrees, well, the most favorable conditions for them are 20-25 ℃ and 80% humidity.
Are there parasites in the city
Now meeting with a tick in the city is not uncommon. Especially if the city has a lot of parks, green spaces, places of recreation. The danger of being bitten by a bloodsucker increases if the area of the city is adjacent to the forest. If the risk of infection is high, then local authorities should organize measures to treat hazardous areas with disinfectants. Tick bites are more often recorded in small towns, villages, suburban communities.
Why are forest mites dangerous?
Ticks carry serious diseases that are often difficult to quickly diagnose.
The most common tick-borne diseases are Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis.
These diseases are caused by other microorganisms that enter the body along with the saliva of the tick. Lyme disease is caused by bacteria; tick-borne encephalitis is a viral disease that appears suddenly and unpredictably and can lead to rapid death.
Tick-borne encephalitis may initially resemble the flu. The disease progresses rapidly, affecting the nervous system and disrupting its proper functioning. Tick-borne encephalitis is a disease for which there is no cure. The health of the patient is often determined by the correct functioning of the immune system, which must fight off harmful viruses on its own.
Walking Precautions in Nature
- When going for a walk in places where ticks are likely to appear, wear long-sleeved clothing and tuck trousers into your shoes. Bright clothes will help to quickly detect an intruder.
- Before the walk, you must use
- After returning from a walk, you should take a few minutes to carefully examine the body - the parasite most often looks for a place where the skin is thin and tender.
- Protection against tick-borne encephalitis can be obtained with a vaccine. Complete safety is guaranteed when taking 3 doses. The vaccines are free from the risk of post-vaccination complications and can be given to children as early as 12 months of age.