Insects
Types of Ticks: Identify and Control Ticks
Learn how to identify and control common tick species.
There are hundreds of tick species worldwide, but only a small percentage of them make their home in the United States. Of these, four are most common: the deer tick (black-legged tick), American dog tick, brown dog tick, and lone star tick.
Why Some Ticks Are Dangerous
Some ticks can transmit pathogens that can lead to different types of diseases. Some of the most common diseases include Lyme disease, tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis. Not all ticks carry or are infected with a disease-causing pathogen. Sometimes the most problematic element of a tick bite is the swelling and pain it can cause at the bite site. A bite can also lead to a rash, blisters, and possibly a burning sensation. Bites that lead to infection could cause a person to have difficulty breathing as well as nausea, fever, chills, headaches, chills, and swollen lymph nodes.
Types of Ticks
Ticks have three life stages: larval, nymph, and adult. Each of these stages requires a blood meal. In some cases, a tick might take up to three days to complete its meal before it will detach from its host. Ticks are most often found near wooded or brush-filled areas. They can also be found in areas with lots of weeds or tall grasses, like meadows. Here’s how to identify some of the most common types of ticks.
Deer tick
The deer tick is also known as the black-legged tick. This is the culprit that is associated with the transmission of pathogens that cause Lyme disease, but can also spread babesiosis and anaplasmosis. The deer tick is found most commonly in deciduous forests through the northeast, southeast, and upper midwest. There is also a western black-legged tick found along the Pacific coast. Deer ticks are primarily moved around by whitetail deer and tend to search for their hosts when temperatures are above freezing.
American dog tick
The American dog tick, also known as a wood tick, is found predominantly east of the Rocky Mountains. These ticks can transmit pathogens that cause tularemia, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. They are most commonly found in grassy areas with little to no tree cover. Reddish-brown in color, the American dog tick is a well-known bane of dogs and can cause canine tick paralysis.
Brown dog tick
The brown dog tick is also sometimes called a wood tick. It is found worldwide and throughout the U.S. These ticks are known primarily for spreading Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but can also transmit pathogens that cause babesiosis and ehrlichiosis. As the name suggests, this tick is most commonly found on dogs. Unlike the American dog tick, the brown dog tick is able to complete its entire life cycle indoors and is usually the culprit when tick infestations occur inside your home.
Lone star tick
The lone star tick is primarily found in the eastern and southeastern United States. These are aggressive ticks, and the female has a prominent white dot (or lone star) on her back. Lone star ticks are commonly found in woodlands and other spots with dense undergrowth, particularly in areas where animals like the whitetail deer like to bed down. Their bites can be very irritating to people. They can transmit pathogens that lead to diseases like STARI (Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness), ehrlichiosis, Heartland virus, and tularemia.
Combating Ticks
There are several things you can do to help guard against ticks.
- Keep deer away. If you live in a rural area or your property is frequently visited by deer, you should consider using deer repellents or installing a fence to keep them off your property.
- Protect yourself. When working outside in the yard or going for a hike, wear a long-sleeved, light-colored shirt and long pants tucked into your socks, and use an EPA-approved personal repellent designed specifically for humans. After being outside, check yourself from head to toe for ticks that may have found a bit of unprotected skin to latch onto.
- Protect your pets. Ask your veterinarian about effective, pet-friendly tick-control treatments, and check your pets thoroughly for ticks after they’ve been outside.
- Protect your yard. You can help keep ticks from taking up residence in your gardens and landscapes by cutting back tall grasses and weeds and treating with Ortho® Home Defense® Insect Killer for Lawn & Landscape. It will provide 3 months of protection against the American dog tick. Treat your lawn with Ortho® Home Defense® Insect Killer for Lawns Granules to kill ticks and protect against American dog ticks and brown dog ticks for up to 3 months.
If you do get bit by a tick and experience symptoms that include a bulls-eye rash, headache, fever, fatigue, or joint pain and stiffness, visit your healthcare provider immediately for evaluation and treatment.
