Ticks in History: Their Evolution & Impact

Visit the Equip-4-Ticks Resource Center

Ticks have been transmitting diseases long before humans began documenting tick-borne illnesses. Dr. Brian Leydet, an associate professor of disease ecology and epidemiology, provides insight into the fascinating history of ticks and the diseases they carry, demonstrating how our understanding has evolved significantly over time.

Ancient Evidence of Ticks

Ticks have existed since the age of dinosaurs, with evidence found in fossilized amber. Historical examples include Ötzi the Iceman, discovered with signs of infection by the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, indicating that tick-borne diseases have impacted humans for thousands of years.

Early Scientific Observations

The understanding of tick-borne diseases began to develop significantly during expeditions by historical figures like Dr. Livingston, who documented suffering from diseases such as soft tick-borne relapsing fever. These early accounts provided valuable insights into the nature and symptoms of tick-borne illnesses.

Theobald Smith and the Discovery of Tick Transmission

In the late 1800s, cattle ranchers in the United States observed that cattle transported from the north to the south frequently died from an unknown disease, while local cattle remained healthy. Dr. Theobald Smith was tasked by the U.S. government to investigate. His pioneering research established that ticks transmitted a protozoan (Babesia), causing disease in cattle. This discovery was one of the first confirmations of insects and arachnids transmitting diseases, predating similar discoveries about mosquitoes.

Lyme Disease: Recognition and Identification

Lyme disease, now the most common tick-borne illness in North America, was formally identified in the late 1970s by Dr. Allen Steere and Dr. Willy Burgdorfer in Lyme, Connecticut. However, the symptoms and descriptions of Lyme-like diseases date back even further. In the late 1800s, Swedish dermatologist Dr. Arvid Afzelius described patients with erythema migrans—a distinctive bull's-eye rash associated with Lyme disease—and hypothesized it was tick-transmitted. Interestingly, earlier reports from Montauk, New York, in the 1920s and 1940s described similar symptoms, including swollen joints now known to be characteristic of disseminated Lyme disease.

The Role of Deer in the Tick Life Cycle

Dr. Leydet emphasizes that while deer are commonly associated with Lyme disease, they do not actually become infected with the disease themselves. Instead, their role is critical in the tick life cycle, particularly for adult ticks. Ticks have multiple life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. The smaller life stages feed on small animals like mice and birds. However, adult blacklegged ticks require a larger host for their final blood meal, and deer provide that crucial source.

Without large mammals like deer, adult ticks wouldn’t be able to reproduce. This means fewer eggs, fewer baby ticks, and a break in the tick life cycle. Strategies aimed at reducing tick populations often include addressing access to these larger hosts.

Recent Advances in Tick-Borne Disease Research

In recent decades, scientific advancements have led to the discovery of numerous novel tick-borne diseases, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by ticks. Each new discovery underscores the importance of awareness, prevention, and ongoing research to protect public health.

Preventing Tick-Borne Diseases Today

Given the historical prevalence and increasing recognition of tick-borne illnesses, prevention remains vital:

Regular Tick Checks: Inspect yourself and family members thoroughly after outdoor activities.
Protective Clothing: Utilize permethrin-treated clothing to repel ticks.

Insect Shield Permethrin Spray is a simple way to add effective tick repellent to your shoes and other outdoor gear. Shoes are a great place to start with your protection, as ticks often will attach low to the ground. Other great tick repellent items are Insect Shield socks and pants. These items utilize Insect Shield’s built-in tick repellent technology to bond permethrin to the fabric, giving you long-lasting and effective protection.