Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What a way to wake up. I brushed my hand across my face this morning when I felt something tickling me and found a tick!. Squick! Ick! Ick! Ick! The little b*st*rd wasn't attached and hadn't appeared to have fed recently. I killed it and pulled out Ye Olde Entomology textbook from the previous semester to identify it as an American Dog Tick, which apparently don't feed on humans. The thing bothering me is I have no idea where the little bastard came from. I haven't been in a wooded setting for days, the doors and windows are all screened and none of my pets have fur. Oh well, at least that one less bloodsucking parasite in my life.

Now that I've confirmed that I am tick free I'm worried about my snake. A quick visional check doesn't show an ticks. I've dumped his old substrate, cleaned the enclosure and all hides, etc. just to be on the safe (or paranoid) side. Is there anything else I should do or check for? Do dog ticks feed on anything except dogs? I'm not crazy about the idea of blasting his enclosure with chemicals if there is no real need, even if they are supposed to be reptile safe.

Help!

Ruby

>>What a way to wake up. I brushed my hand across my face this morning when I felt something tickling me and found a tick!. Squick! Ick! Ick! Ick! The little b*st*rd wasn't attached and hadn't appeared to have fed recently. I killed it and pulled out Ye Olde Entomology textbook from the previous semester to identify it as an American Dog Tick, which apparently don't feed on humans. The thing bothering me is I have no idea where the little bastard came from. I haven't been in a wooded setting for days, the doors and windows are all screened and none of my pets have fur. Oh well, at least that one less bloodsucking parasite in my life.
>>
>>Now that I've confirmed that I am tick free I'm worried about my snake. A quick visional check doesn't show an ticks. I've dumped his old substrate, cleaned the enclosure and all hides, etc. just to be on the safe (or paranoid) side. Is there anything else I should do or check for? Do dog ticks feed on anything except dogs? I'm not crazy about the idea of blasting his enclosure with chemicals if there is no real need, even if they are supposed to be reptile safe.
>>
>>Help!
>>
>>Ruby
>>

If you have grass in your yard, you can have ticks.
I don't know where you got the information that they don't feed on humans...they do.
They will feed on anything with blood.
They may not lay eggs and breed on humans, not 100% sure about this either, but they will definitely feed on humans.
Don't worry, it's simple, just keep an eye on out and if you see any more then think about doing more to prevent.
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

_____

Thanks!
I figured I was over reacting but than waking up with to find you're sharing your bed with a bloodsucker tends to do that to me

No other tick sighting, but I did spend most of the day twitching violantly when even anything touched me.

Thanks again,
Ruby

I don't think you have to worry about dog ticks getting on a snake.I've had snakes for about 30 yrs. or so & have never seen a tick on a snake besides imported ball pythons & snakes kept with them. jeff

Oh good, I figured I was over reacting a bit but my brain tends to be a little overworked during finals week. No other signs of nasty bloodsucking critters, Habibi is happily digesting a mouse and I have a Marine Bio final to take.

Thanks for the advice,
Ruby