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Ticks and Mites.
Although spiders are most commonly recognized as being dangerous arachnids, there are others that can be just as bad or possibly worse than most spiders. The Dermacentor variabilis, or deer tick, causes the quite serious illness, Lyme disease. Lyme disease, first diagnosed in Lyme, Connecticut in 1975, causes flu-like symptoms in the victim. If this disease is not treated properly, it often causes the victim to contract arthritis as well. The arthritis usually begins to take effect anywhere from two weeks to two months after the victim has been bitten, and quite often symptoms last for about three months. Certain ticks can also cause illnesses such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and relapsing fever. Relapsing fever causes people to go through a period of chills, then a very high fever with headaches. After that, strong muscle pains are present. The reason why it is called relapsing fever is that these symptoms last for two to three days, and then suddenly quit. After about a week, they reappear and last for another two to three days. Like ticks, mites cling to grass stems and other foliage and attach themselves to any host that passes by. Some mites can also cause sickness or irritation of the skin. The chigger mite, Trombicula irritans, known most commonly as just a chigger, is a good example of this. These bothersome creatures can be found throughout the South, and they are a major problem for some people. .
Scorpions .
Following spiders, scorpions are probably the next most frequently thought about arachnid in terms of being poisonous. The only reason they are in second place is that scorpions are not seen as often by people. Scorpions usually build their nests deep within piles of rock or wood. Scorpions are nocturnal, and their main food supply consists of insects and spiders. Therefore, many people may think that scorpions are doing them a favor.
