Ticks of Martha's Vineyard

Deer Tick
Ixodes scapularis

Typically found in deciduous forests and tall grasslands and shrubs bordering forests
Often found "questing" with outstreched limbs at the ends of plants waiting to attach to passing humans or animals
Distribution relies greatly on that of their reproductive host, the White-Tailed Deer
The poppy seed-sized nymph (worst offender) and the larger adult females are responsible for transmitting diseases
Active all year round

Diseases Transmitted and Treatment

• Treatable with Doxycycline:
• Lyme Disease
• Anaplasmosis
• Ehrlichiosis
• Borrelia Miyamotoi Disease
• Treatable with Atovaquone & Azithromycin
• Babesiosis
• No current treatment, supportive care only
• Powassan Virus

Dog Tick
Dermacentor variabilis

Prefer forest edges, areas w little / no tree cover, grassy fields, scrubland, dunes, along walkways, trails, sidewalks
Adult males/females active ~April to early August, mostly found questing in tall grass, low-lying brush and twigs
Adults commonly feed on humans, climbing to the crown of the head
Nymphs and larvae rarely feed on people or pets, preferring smaller animals

Diseases Transmitted and Treatment

Bites from nymph and adults can cause Tularemia and Ehrlichiosis
Both are treatable with doxycycline

Lone Star Tick
Amblyoma americanum

Much broader habitat than Deer Ticks including wooded areas, thickets, grasslands, lawns, animal resting areas
Only FEMALES have characteristic "lone star" on their backs
Much more robust than other ticks; tolerate colder and warmer temps and lower humidity, adaptable to different environments
Actively seek out hosts by crawling instead of just “questing”
Active March through October
Larval hatches by the hundreds ("tick bombs") from late July through mid-September

Diseases Transmitted and Treatment

Bites from Nymphs and Adults can cause Tularemia and Ehrlichiosis
Both Tularemia and Ehrlichiosis are treatable with doxycycline
Bites from all stages of development can confer the risk of Alpha-Gal Syndrome which is NOT an infectious disease and therefore NOT treatable with antibiotics
Alpha-Gal Syndrome currently has no cure. Care includes avoidance of triggers and treatment of symptoms.

Asian Longhorned Tick
Haemaphysalis longicornis

Of concern in the US as an invasive threat to livestock and wildlife
Feeds on and transmits disease to humans in other parts of the world (thus far)
Not currently a tick of local concern with regard to transmitting disease to humans but being monitored

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Providing expert, science-based diagnosis, treatment & education on all aspects of tickborne illness—including Alpha-Gal Syndrome—on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket

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Ticks of Martha's Vineyard

Deer Tick
Ixodes scapularis

Typically found in deciduous forests and tall grasslands and shrubs bordering forests

Often found "questing" with outstreched limbs at the ends of plants waiting to attach to passing humans or animals

Distribution relies greatly on that of their reproductive host, the White-Tailed Deer

The poppy seed-sized nymph (worst offender) and the larger adult females are responsible for transmitting diseases

Active all year round

Diseases Transmitted and Treatment

• Treatable with Doxycycline:
• Lyme Disease
• Anaplasmosis
• Ehrlichiosis
• Borrelia Miyamotoi Disease
• Treatable with Atovaquone & Azithromycin
• Babesiosis
• No current treatment, supportive care only
• Powassan Virus

Dog Tick
Dermacentor variabilis

Diseases Transmitted and Treatment

Bites from nymph and adults can cause Tularemia and Ehrlichiosis

Both are treatable with doxycycline

Lone Star Tick
Amblyoma americanum

Much broader habitat than Deer Ticks including wooded areas, thickets, grasslands, lawns, animal resting areas

Only FEMALES have characteristic "lone star" on their backs

Much more robust than other ticks; tolerate colder and warmer temps and lower humidity, adaptable to different environments

Actively seek out hosts by crawling instead of just “questing”

Active March through October

Larval hatches by the hundreds ("tick bombs") from late July through mid-September

Diseases Transmitted and Treatment

Bites from Nymphs and Adults can cause Tularemia and Ehrlichiosis

Both Tularemia and Ehrlichiosis are treatable with doxycycline

Bites from all stages of development can confer the risk of Alpha-Gal Syndrome which is NOT an infectious disease and therefore NOT treatable with antibiotics

Alpha-Gal Syndrome currently has no cure. Care includes avoidance of triggers and treatment of symptoms.

Asian Longhorned Tick
Haemaphysalis longicornis

Of concern in the US as an invasive threat to livestock and wildlife

Feeds on and transmits disease to humans in other parts of the world (thus far)

Not currently a tick of local concern with regard to transmitting disease to humans but being monitored

Ticks of Martha's Vineyard

Deer Tick Ixodes scapularis

Typically found in deciduous forests and tall grasslands and shrubs bordering forests

Often found "questing" with outstreched limbs at the ends of plants waiting to attach to passing humans or animals

Distribution relies greatly on that of their reproductive host, the White-Tailed Deer

The poppy seed-sized nymph (worst offender) and the larger adult females are responsible for transmitting diseases

Active all year round

Diseases Transmitted and Treatment

• Treatable with Doxycycline: • Lyme Disease • Anaplasmosis • Ehrlichiosis • Borrelia Miyamotoi Disease • Treatable with Atovaquone & Azithromycin • Babesiosis • No current treatment, supportive care only • Powassan Virus

Dog Tick Dermacentor variabilis

Diseases Transmitted and Treatment

Bites from nymph and adults can cause Tularemia and Ehrlichiosis

Both are treatable with doxycycline

Lone Star Tick Amblyoma americanum

Much broader habitat than Deer Ticks including wooded areas, thickets, grasslands, lawns, animal resting areas

Only FEMALES have characteristic "lone star" on their backs

Much more robust than other ticks; tolerate colder and warmer temps and lower humidity, adaptable to different environments

Actively seek out hosts by crawling instead of just “questing”

Active March through October

Larval hatches by the hundreds ("tick bombs") from late July through mid-September

Diseases Transmitted and Treatment

Bites from Nymphs and Adults can cause Tularemia and Ehrlichiosis

Both Tularemia and Ehrlichiosis are treatable with doxycycline

Bites from all stages of development can confer the risk of Alpha-Gal Syndrome which is NOT an infectious disease and therefore NOT treatable with antibiotics

Alpha-Gal Syndrome currently has no cure. Care includes avoidance of triggers and treatment of symptoms.

Asian Longhorned Tick Haemaphysalis longicornis

Of concern in the US as an invasive threat to livestock and wildlife

Feeds on and transmits disease to humans in other parts of the world (thus far)

Not currently a tick of local concern with regard to transmitting disease to humans but being monitored

Deer Tick
Ixodes scapularis

• Treatable with Doxycycline:
• Lyme Disease
• Anaplasmosis
• Ehrlichiosis
• Borrelia Miyamotoi Disease
• Treatable with Atovaquone & Azithromycin
• Babesiosis
• No current treatment, supportive care only
• Powassan Virus

Dog Tick
Dermacentor variabilis

Lone Star Tick
Amblyoma americanum

Asian Longhorned Tick
Haemaphysalis longicornis