If you’re concerned about ticks in your area, it’s important to know which species you might encounter. Different types of ticks can carry different diseases and prefer different hosts. While all ticks are parasitic and feed on blood, knowing how to identify various species can help you better protect yourself, your family, and your pets from tick-borne illnesses.
Hard ticks vs soft ticks
There are two main families of ticks: hard ticks (Ixodidae) and soft ticks (Argasidae). Hard ticks have a hard shield on their back called a scutum and are the most common ticks encountered by humans and pets. They typically feed for several days and can expand significantly when engorged. Hard ticks are known to transmit a variety of diseases including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tularemia.
Soft ticks lack the hard shield and have a more leather-like appearance. They typically feed quickly and repeatedly, mostly at night. While less common, soft ticks can transmit diseases such as tick-borne relapsing fever. They’re usually found in rodent burrows or rustic cabins rather than on vegetation like hard ticks.
Black-legged tick or deer tick
The black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) is one of the most medically significant tick species in North America. These ticks are primary vectors for Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus. Adult females have a distinctive reddish-orange body with a dark brown to black shield, while males are entirely dark.
They’re commonly found in wooded and brushy areas, particularly in the northeastern and upper midwestern United States. These ticks are most active in spring and fall, though they can be found year-round in warmer areas.
American dog tick
American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) are known carriers of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and tick paralysis. These larger ticks have distinctive white markings on their backs and are commonly found in areas with little tree cover, such as grassy fields and scrubland. Adult ticks prefer to feed on larger animals, including dogs and humans.
They’re most active from spring through early fall and are particularly abundant in the eastern United States and along the Pacific Coast.
Brown dog tick
The brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) is unique because it can complete its entire lifecycle indoors. These ticks primarily feed on dogs but will bite humans if no other hosts are available. They can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, canine ehrlichiosis, and canine babesiosis.
Unlike other tick species, brown dog ticks are reddish-brown without any distinctive markings. They’re found throughout the United States but are particularly common in warmer southern regions.
Lone Star tick
The Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is identified by a distinctive white dot or “star” on the female’s back. These aggressive ticks are known to transmit ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI).
They can also cause alpha-gal syndrome, which results in an allergic reaction to red meat. These ticks are found throughout the eastern and southeastern United States. All life stages will readily feed on humans, and they’re known to actively pursue their hosts.
Western black-legged tick
The Western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) is the primary vector of Lyme disease in the western United States. They can also transmit anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Similar in appearance to their eastern cousins, these ticks have dark legs and a reddish-orange body with a dark shield.
They’re commonly found along the Pacific Coast, particularly in areas with dense vegetation. Adults are most active in winter and early spring, while nymphs are typically active in spring and early summer.
Rocky Mountain wood tick
The Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) is a major vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, and tularemia. They can also cause tick paralysis. These ticks have a brown body with white or gray markings on their backs. They’re found primarily in the Rocky Mountain states and southwestern Canada, preferring areas between 4,000 and 10,500 feet elevation. Adults are most active in spring and early summer.
Gulf Coast tick
The Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) transmits Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis, a form of spotted fever. These ticks have distinctive ornate markings on their backs and are slightly larger than other common tick species. Originally found primarily along the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast, they’ve expanded their range inland in recent years.
They prefer grassy, coastal uplands and are particularly active during warm, humid months. Adults typically feed on larger mammals, while immature stages prefer ground-dwelling birds and small rodents.
Asian longhorned tick
The Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) is an invasive species recently discovered in the United States. While they can transmit several serious diseases in other countries, including severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), their disease transmission potential in North America is still being studied.
These ticks can reproduce without mating, and a single female can lay up to 2,000 eggs. They’re known to infest livestock and wildlife in large numbers.
Cayenne tick
The Cayenne tick (Amblyomma cajennense) is primarily found in the southern United States, particularly in Texas and Florida, and throughout Central and South America. These ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other spotted fever group rickettsioses. They have distinctive ornate patterns on their backs and are relatively large compared to other tick species.
Cayenne ticks are aggressive feeders that will readily attack humans and animals. They prefer areas with high humidity and are particularly active during warmer months. All life stages of this tick will feed on humans and large animals.
How to prevent tick bites
Preventing tick bites requires a multi-faceted approach. When outdoors, wear light-colored clothing that makes ticks easier to spot, and tuck pants into socks. Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin. Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
Stay on marked trails when hiking and avoid walking through tall grass or dense vegetation. After being outdoors, conduct thorough tick checks on yourself, children, and pets. Pay special attention to warm, dark areas of the body where ticks often attach and remove any attached ticks promptly with tweezers.
Given the serious nature of tick-borne diseases, considering professional pest control services can provide an additional layer of protection. Professional technicians can identify tick-prone areas on your property that you might overlook. They can implement targeted treatments in these high-risk areas and help create barriers to prevent ticks from establishing populations near your home.
Additionally, they can provide ongoing monitoring and prevention strategies, particularly important if you live in an area with high tick activity or have previously encountered tick problems on your property.
Hiring a professional pest control company to take care of your tick problem
Professional pest control services can provide effective tick management strategies for your property. The pest control experts recommended by At Home Pros can assess your yard’s tick risk factors and develop a targeted treatment plan.
At home Pros recommends companies like our trusted partners, Terminix or Aptive Environmental, which focus on treating areas near the home where ticks are most likely to be found, such as tall grass, brush, and woodland edges. These professionals can also provide guidance on landscape modifications to make your property less attractive to ticks and their hosts. Contact At Home Pros today to connect with top pest control services in your area.
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