Who knows your blood type (besides you, of course)?
Your spouse? Your doctor? The Red Cross, from the last time you donated blood?
Believe it or not, that tick that bit you a few weeks ago may know more than he’s letting on, too.
We can all agree that ticks are nuisances, frustrating pests to deal with due to their itchy bites and, of course, their ability to spread dangerous diseases. But one question that pops up time and time again is this: are ticks attracted to certain blood types?
The answer might surprise you. We’ll explore it (along with potential solutions for preventing them from biting you in the first place) in this post.
Are Ticks Attracted to Certain Blood Types?
The short answer: yes.
Ticks are drawn to humans and animals by scent cues more than anything else. They’re able to detect carbon dioxide, body odors, and even heat that’s emitted from the skin.
Recent research suggests that ticks might even be attracted to certain individuals based on their blood type. A 2018 study found that ticks showed a significant preference for people with Type A blood, while those with Type B were the least appealing. About 36% of the ticks tested chose Type A blood, while only 15% chose B.
It’s worth noting that many other factors influence tick attraction, and that blood type isn’t the be-all and end-all for explaining why ticks target some people more than others. Environmental factors, your scent, and even what you wear matter, too.
What Else Attracts Ticks?
So, are ticks attracted to certain blood types? Yes, but that’s not the only thing that lures them in.
For one, your body heat is a major welcome mat to ticks. These pests use heat sensors to detect potential hosts, so the warmer your body, the easier it is for a tick to zero in on you. Spending time outdoors, especially during the warmer months, increases your chances of one hitching a ride on you.
Ticks are also drawn to exhaled carbon dioxide. The more CO2 you produce (like from heavy breathing during exercise), the more likely ticks are to find you.
Each person also has a unique skin microbiome and scent profile, which can make them more or less appealing to certain species of ticks. Your choice of soap, lotion, or perfume may play a role as well.
Ticks can also spot you more easily based on your outfit. Wearing light-colored clothing tends to reduce the likelihood of being bitten, and may also make it easier for you to spot ticks as they’re crawling on you.
Finally, don’t forget the environment. Ticks thrive in damp, shaded areas with tall grass, overgrown vegetation, and dense piles of leaves, so the more time you spend in these spots, the higher the odds are that you’ll be exposed.
What Types of Ticks Are Common in Oregon?
If you live in Canby, Salem, or anywhere else in the surrounding area, you’re likely to encounter a few different species of ticks in your yard, along with on hiking trails or in nearby wooded areas.
The ones you should watch out for the most include:
- American Dog Tick: These ticks often target dogs and humans, and they’re known to transmit diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
- Pacific Coast Tick: With their preference for grassy or shrubby areas, these ticks are common along the West Coast. They can also transmit diseases to humans and pets.
- Rocky Mountain Wood Tick: Like their name suggests, these ticks are commonly found in wooded areas and are infamous for spreading Colorado tick fever.
- Western Blacklegged Tick: Often referred to as deer ticks, these are the primary carriers of Lyme disease on the West Coast.
You don’t need to be an entomologist and have a textbook definition of a tick ready to go at all times, but knowing which species you’re dealing with can make them easier to avoid (and the diseases easier to treat, if you happen to be bit by one and infected).
How to Prevent Tick Bites and Infestations
Now that you know that ticks are attracted to you by more than just your blood type, how can you reduce your interactions with these pests? There are a few steps you may want to take:
Wear the Right Clothing
When you head outdoors, especially for an activity that will take place in wooded areas, the right clothing can make all the difference. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to cover up any exposed skin, and choose fabrics treated with permethrin for an extra layer of defense.
If you can, stick to established trails rather than traipsing through tall grass. Always use an EPA-approved insect repellent that lists DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 as the active ingredient.
Once you get back inside, check your clothing, body, and hair for ticks, paying special attention to warm areas like the scalp, waistline, armpits, and groin.
Protect Your Pets
Ticks love pets just as much as people (if not more so). Regularly treat your pets with veterinarian-approved flea and tick medication, and inspect them carefully after outings, especially if they’ve been rolling around in tall grass. Focus your inspection on areas like the ears, collar, and underbelly, where ticks are most likely to hide.
Maintain Your Yard
To make your yard less inviting for ticks, tidy it up. Mow the lawn regularly, remove leaf litter, and keep shrubs neatly trimmed. If you have woodpiles, store them in sunny, well-ventilated areas away from the house. You may also want to consider installing fencing to deter deer, which often carry ticks into people’s yards.
Call in the Experts
Unfortunately, DIY methods have their limits. If ticks continue to pose a problem or you suspect a major infestation, it’s best to call in the professionals.
Pest control experts like our team at Kanga Pest Control rely on advanced techniques to eliminate the threat of ticks and prevent future infestations. We’ll inspect every inch of your property and target potential tick hotspots to make sure your home and yard are safe year-round.
Get Rid of Ticks With Kanga Pest Control
Ticks may prefer Type A blood, but that attraction isn’t set in stone, nor should you let your guard down if you’re lucky enough to not be Type A. With the right protection and preventive measures (and some help from Kanga Pest Control), you can reduce the risk of tick bites and infestations.
Serving Canby, Salem, and the surrounding area, Kanga Pest Control has years of experience in creating tick-free environments. Schedule an inspection and reclaim your space today.
