Giant ticks invade Europe, watch out for their bites

After the giant toe-eating water bugs, with their very painful bite, which have invaded the beaches of Cyprus, it is another animal that we will have to be wary of. Hyalomma lusitanicuma giant tick from Africa and Asia, is in fact colonizing Europe, including France.

Who is Hyalomma lusitanicumthe giant bug?

Members of the genus Hyalomma are all characterized by their impressive size – more than 5 millimeters before meal, and more than a cm once engorged with blood -, with a hypostome (the mouth part that they harpoon into their prey to suck the blood) quite long, bulging eyes, and legs with colored bands.

Hyalomma lusitanicum would thus be up to four times larger than the ticks that we usually find on French territory. It is notably transported by wild animals, such as rabbits.

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While it is normally found in parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, and even southern Europe, it has been detected in various European countries further north – and therefore colder -, such as Germany, Sweden, England… and France.

A situation that scientists are alarmed by, as indicated by a study published in 2023: “Its potential role as a vector and/or reservoir, and its continued expansion into new areas due to global warmingand human and animal movements, give rise to serious concerns”, we could read.

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It must be said that, like other species of ticks, certain individuals Hyalomma lusitanicum can carry serious illnesses, such as Crimean-Congo fever and Lyme disease. It is therefore essential to react immediately if a tick attaches to you or your pet.

How to remove a tick?

If you notice the presence of a tick attached to your skin, under no circumstances should you apply any product. This could cause the arachnid to regurgitate, or the Borellia bacteria, present in their saliva and responsible for Lyme disease, would then be released.

You shouldn’t crush it either. Instead, use a tick remover, especially sold in pharmacies. There are different sizes. Note that speed is essential, because removing the tick less than 12 to 24 hours after the bite would prevent the transmission of the bacteria.

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“Gently grasp the ticks as close as possible to the skin and pull them gently but firmly. To avoid breaking the oral apparatus (the rostrum), make a circular movement. This traction-rotation movement, carried out perpendicular to the skin, allows you to remove the tick(s) without tearing off their heads, details the Améli site. If you were unable to remove the entire head and mouth of the tick on the first try, do not try again or attempt to complete the extraction. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice.”

Once the tick is removed, disinfect the skin thoroughly and wash your hands with soap and water.

And to prevent the risk of being bitten, it is recommended to cover your skin when walking outside and tuck your pants into your socks. Also wear light-colored clothing to make them easier to spot. You can also spray your clothes and skin with insect repellent. And finally, it is advisable to stay on clear paths, as ticks prefer grassy and wooded areas.