Ticks are one of the most common ectoparasites that can affect our dogs, especially if they pass through wooded places where these mites they can be found crouched in the environment waiting for the arrival of an animal to feed on, since they are hematophagous, with which they must bite, staying attached to the dog throughout the process. It is in this exchange that the tick can transmit various diseases, so it is very important to know how long a tick lives with and without a host, as we will explain in this article on our site, to prevent its appearance and properly disinfect our home.
How do ticks live?
There are different species of ticks capable of biting dogs but also humans. As we have seen, their importance lies in their ability to transmit diseases as dangerous as babesiosis, Lyme disease or ehrlichiosis. When the tick climbs on an animal it introduces its head into it to start feeding and stays attached. This way of feeding implies that, to remove them, we have to pay special attention to doing it completely, so that the head does not remain inside, which could cause an infection.
If the tick acts as a vector of a disease, depending on it, it will need to be in contact with our dog for a certain number of hours to infect it. That is why it is important, in addition to prevention through deworming, to check our dog whenever he comes for a walk during the time of greatest risk of ticks, which usually corresponds to with the less cold months. Locating ticks before they attach or removing them in the first moments will prevent the transmission of diseases such as those mentioned. Knowing how long a tick lives and its life cycle will help us effectively deworm our dog. Likewise, a significant infestation can cause anemia and lack of iron.
Tick Life Cycle
Among the different species we will take the Ixodes ricinus as an example to get closer to how long a tick lives and how. The females we observed attached to a dog feed for a few days and even several weeks After they will return to the environment to lay eggs and die From these hatch six-legged larvae that go looking for a first animal to feed on for about 2-3 days, which It is usually a rodent. After this ingestion, they return to the environment to become nymphs, already with 8 legs, which feed for 4-6 days on animals such as rabbits. Finally, they return to the environment where they transform into adult ticks that spend most of their time in the environment. Females feed from 5 to 14 days on dogs, cats or cattle, restarting the cycle. In this way, if you wonder how long it takes a tick to fatten up or fill with blood, the answer is approximately one to two weeks, experiencing during this time a growth that can even multiply by four.
How do ticks reproduce?
In general, adult ticks mate on the same host when they have fed sufficiently. Once mating has elapsed, the female lays her eggs, which will hatch 20-60 days after laying, and the previous cycle begins again.
Where do ticks lay eggs?
In general, ticks prefer areas with vegetation to lay their eggs, although they can also opt for cracks formed in the ground, especially if they are close to the resting place of the animal, or to do it on the same host. In this way, if we have a space in the home that meets these conditions, such as a garden or an old space, and we do not carry out correct prevention and disinfection measures in the home, we can suffer an infestation again when the eggs hatch.. In this regard, it should be noted that both larvae and adult ticks can find an ideal host to feed on in humans, so not only pets can be harmed by these parasites.
How many eggs does a tick lay?
A tick can lay 3,000 to 7,000 eggs, which is an alarming enough figure to take precautions into account relevant.
How long does a tick live without a host?
To answer the question how long a tick lives outside the dog or cat, it is necessary, once again, to review its life cycle, since each stage has its own resistance. Thus, larvae can live in the environment without receiving any kind of food for 8 months approximately, while nymphs and adult ticks have the ability to survive without a host for up to a year and a halfIn total, the life cycle of the tick, taking into account how long a tick lives without eating in all its phases, can take up to 4 years.
Tick control measures
As we have seen, a large part of the life cycle of ticks takes place in the environment and they are able to resist several months in it. This makes it difficult for us to control the environment, but by paying attention to how long a tick lives and establishing a suitable deworming schedule we will be able to avoid infestations. In the market we will find repellent products that will prevent the tick from biting our dog and, also, others with a protective action that eliminate ticks within a few hours of biting the dog, preventing them from transmitting diseases.
To establish the most appropriate deworming program we must consult our veterinarian to adapt the product to the conditions of our dog, since Those who frequent wooded areas or fields will have a greater risk of infestations, a fact that may increase the frequency of applications. In addition, care must be taken to follow the instructions for the correct administration of the product. For example, if we opt for pipettes or sprays, we cannot let the dog get wet 48 hours before or after use, as effectiveness may be lost. However, more and more experts recommend opting for double monthly deworming, which consists of protecting the animal from external and internal parasites by administering a single tablet, since its efficiency is much higher. For this reason, consult your trusted veterinarian about this antiparasitic method and deworm your pet, to protect her and all household members.
General recommendations
In this case, more than the importance of how long the tick lives on our dog, we should focus on eliminating it as soon as possible, since completely preventing one from getting on our dog is complicated by be found in open environments. Some tips are as follows:
- Avoid tick concentration areas and, if we can, act on them. For example, we can cover cracks where they can hide if they take shelter in places like sheds.
- Maintain deworming and apply it correctly, especially during the months with the highest temperatures, but also throughout the year if we live in mild climates.
- Check our dog's whole body after walks.
- To remove ticks there are special tools on the market that produce a traction that also manages to remove the head. We should never tear them off with our hands.
- Properly disinfect and fumigate the home.
