How to Get Rid of Ticks

How to Get Rid of Ticks

Tiny in size, ticks—a close relative of the spider—are small parasites that may live in wooded areas or in places with tall grasses. These small arachnids have the potential to spread serious diseases to people and animals, which is why keeping them under control is essential. 

WHAT ARE TICKS? 

Ticks, members of the scientific family Ixodidae, are parasitic arachnids. They are a part of the mite superorder.

There isn’t just one kind of tick. There are many different types that can cause harm. Some are known to carry specific diseases that you need to watch out for, while others are less likely to carry disease or cause illness. Certain ticks live all over the United States, but others are found only in localized areas. 

Knowing which kinds of ticks might be near you and how to get them under control is essential for protecting yourself and others. If you are bitten by one, being knowledgeable about the types of ticks located in your region may help you identify possible illnesses that you might need to have a doctor check for. 

Learn a little bit more about nine of the most common ticks that you may find in the United States, where they’re located, when they’re most active, and the diseases they may carry. 

LONE STAR TICK 

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

You’ll find the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) throughout much of the eastern and southern United States. 

WHEN IS IT ACTIVE? 

You’re most likely to be bitten in the spring through the fall, but the ticks may be active at any time. 

DOES IT CAUSE DISEASE?

Yes. The lone star tick is known for transmitting tularemia, Bourbon virus disease, Heartland virus disease, the southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and Ehrlichia ewingii. 

BLACK-LEGGED TICK/DEER TICK

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

The black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), also known as the deer tick, is found in the eastern United States.

WHEN IS IT ACTIVE? 

Deer ticks are most active in warmer months, like spring, summer, and fall. They can be active any time temperatures rise above freezing, though.

DOES IT CAUSE DISEASE?

Yes. Deer ticks can spread Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, Borrelia miyamotoi disease, babesiosis, and Powassan virus. 

BROWN DOG TICK 

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

Brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) are found all over the world. They are often found on dogs, but they can be found on other mammals as well. 

WHEN IS IT ACTIVE? 

Brown dog ticks are active throughout the year. 

DOES IT CAUSE DISEASE?

Yes, the brown dog tick can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever. 

AMERICAN DOG TICK

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis and Dermacentor similis) often travel on dogs. They’re normally found to the east and west of the Rocky Mountains, depending on the species.

WHEN IS IT ACTIVE? 

American dog ticks are most active in the spring and summer months. 

DOES IT CAUSE DISEASE?

American dog ticks are responsible for spreading two main diseases: Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN WOOD TICK

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

You’ll find Rocky Mountain wood ticks (Dermacentor andersoni) in the Rocky Mountain states of Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah. Sometimes, Arizona is also included in this definition.

WHEN IS IT ACTIVE? 

Generally, these ticks are active year-round since they live in warmer areas. 

DOES IT CAUSE DISEASE?

Rocky Mountain wood ticks spread three main illnesses: tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Colorado tick fever. 

SOFT TICK 

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

Generally, soft ticks (Ornithodoros spp.) are found in the western parts of the United States. 

WHEN IS IT ACTIVE? 

These ticks get into homes and cabins, which is why they can maintain activity during all parts of the year. 

DOES IT CAUSE DISEASE?

Soft ticks typically transmit tick-borne relapsing fever, also known as TBRF. 

WESTERN BLACK-LEGGED TICK 

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

The western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) is most often found in the Pacific Coast states including California, Oregon, and Washington. Alaska and Hawaii, also Pacific Coast states, usually do not see these ticks. 

WHEN IS IT ACTIVE? 

These ticks may be active all year, depending on the temperatures of the region in which they live. 

DOES IT CAUSE DISEASE?

Western black-legged ticks are most likely to spread Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. 

GULF COAST TICK 

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

The Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) typically lives in the southeastern United States. However, it can be found in other areas in smaller populations. They tend to be found on small rodents and birds, but they can move to deer and other kinds of wildlife.

WHEN IS IT ACTIVE? 

Gulf Coast ticks can be active all year since they are found across the United States. 

DOES IT CAUSE DISEASE?

Yes, they can transmit R. parkeri rickettsiosis, a kind of spotted fever. 

GROUNDHOG TICK 

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

Also known as a woodchuck tick, the groundhog tick (Ixodes cookei) is often found in the eastern parts of the United States. 

WHEN IS IT ACTIVE? 

It can be active throughout the year, depending on the region. Like many ticks, it is dormant when temperatures drop below freezing. 

DOES IT CAUSE DISEASE?

Groundhog ticks are most likely to spread the Powassan virus. 

WHAT DO TICKS LOOK LIKE? 

Ticks are recognizable thanks to having eight legs, just like spiders, along with a large abdomen. The two front legs usually come forward, while the other six are angled back, but this can vary by species. Depending on the species, the back of the tick may nearly cover the head, making it look like one large, flat oval.  

Ticks are most distinguishable because they have only two body parts: the cephalothorax and the abdomen (the head and back, respectively). If you’re bitten by something with three sections, it’s more likely that you’ve been bitten by an ant, which is why this difference is important to keep in mind.

Ticks can produce rashes, like the bull’s-eye rash, as well as bumps after bites. So even if you don’t see the tick itself, keep an eye out for signs of a tick bite recently taking place.  

 

TICK NAME WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? 
Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum) Lone star ticks have a single white dot, called its “lone star,” on their backs. 

 
Black-legged Tick/Deer Tick (Ixodes scapularis) The black-legged tick has black legs and a primarily black body. It is shaped like an oval with its abdomen in a lighter brown or red color after feeding.

 
Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) The brown dog tick is a solid brown color. It may also look a little reddish, especially if it has recently fed. It is shaped like a long oval with a little taper toward the head. 

 
American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis, Dermacentor similis) The American dog tick is brown like the brown dog tick, but it has legs with a striped appearance. Females have mottled patterns in the shape of a horseshoe, and males have a fully mottled back.

 
Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni) The Rocky Mountain wood tick is reddish brown and may have a whitish horseshoe shape on the back (female). 

 
Soft Tick (Ornithodoros spp.) The soft tick transmits TBRF and looks small and oval-shaped before feeding. After feeding, it may appear to have thin black legs with a fat, red, solid oval-shaped body.

 
Western Black-legged Tick (Ixodes pacificus) The Western black-legged tick looks a lot like a deer tick. Its body is small, and it is reddish brown. It has black legs, as the name implies, but its body is slightly more oval-shaped than the deer tick’s body. 

 
Gulf Coast Tick (Amblyomma maculatum) The Gulf Coast tick is mostly brown. It has a V-shaped pattern in a whitish color on its back, which may extend down the abdomen like a spiderweb when male or stay on the upper abdomen when female. 

 
Groundhog Tick (Ixodes cookei) Groundhog ticks are reddish tan. They may also have dark brown or black shield designs on their abdomens. 

 

WHAT KEEPS TICKS AWAY? 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tick exposure can happen at any time of the year. To deter ticks, you need to know where to expect them, treat your clothing, and use approved insect repellents. Repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus may deter bites, as can several other Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered repellents.

Ticks like to live in wooded, shaded, and brushy areas. They’re also known to shelter in tall grasses or under leaf litter. To keep them out of your yard and off your property, keep your lawn well-maintained, mown, and tidy. Eliminate brush or wooded areas where they may be able to spawn. A dry, well-manicured yard will make a world of difference. 

HOW DO I GET RID OF TICKS PERMANENTLY?

It may not be possible to completely eliminate ticks in wooded areas or regions with heavy brush, but you can take steps to get tick populations under control in your own yard. 

According to Jonathan Ferreira, ACE (Associate Certified Entomologist), “Ticks don’t like dry areas, so watering the grass in the morning and making sure sunlight hits the lawn are both important steps to take. You can also plant fragrant plants like lavender or daffodils, which deter deer and animals that may bring ticks into the yard.”

Try these helpful tips, too:

 

  • Spray the ground with a DIY mix of one part water and one part vinegar. This mixture will dry out the area and deter ticks from trying to live there. 
  • Remove leaf litter that’s providing shaded areas where ticks can hide. 
  • Discourage rodents and wild animals from coming into your space. Stack wood piles neatly, and don’t put out food for deer, raccoons, or other animals that may be more likely to host ticks. 
  • Clean up thatch. After you mow, remove grass clippings to eliminate hiding places ticks could use to avoid tick-eliminating lawn treatments.
  • Avoid placing play equipment, patio furniture, or decking near the edges of yards that back up to brush or under trees where ticks may be living. 
  • Always check mattresses or old furniture that is out in the yard before using them. At the end of the season or whenever possible, put away furniture that isn’t being used after inspecting it for ticks.
  • Add wood chips and gravel to your lawn around all the major edges that back up to the woods or grassy areas. With wood chips and gravel, ticks will have a harder time migrating. Use at least a three-foot perimeter of these materials for the best protection for your yard.

In addition to these prevention techniques, regular lawn treatments by a pest control company can make a huge difference in making sure you can enjoy your yard without worrying about ticks. Joshua’s pet- and family-friendly exterior tick treatments are available to help you have year-round peace of mind.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU’RE BITTEN BY A TICK? 

In the case that you’re bitten by a tick, you should take steps to remove the tick and get medical attention. 

Start by using a set of tweezers to grasp the tick’s head as close to your skin as possible. With a steady outward motion, pull the tick out of the skin. Try not to jerk or twist the tick since this could lead to parts of it breaking off in the skin. 

After you remove the tick, place it in a sealed plastic bag or similar container. You’ll want to take it with you to your medical appointment for identification. 

Call your healthcare provider to discuss your tick exposure. Depending on where you are, and any tests your medical provider decides to run, you may need to take antibiotics to treat an infection. For example, if you test positive for Lyme disease or your physician thinks it’s likely due to the type of tick that bit you, you may be placed on a course of doxycycline. This is an antibiotic that reduces the risk of Lyme disease. 

Symptoms of tick-transmitted diseases can include: 

  • Fatigue
  • Muscle pain
  • Headaches
  • Swelling around your joints
  • Fevers
  • Rashes

If you have these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. 

 

Ticks and Lyme Disease: Ticks that spread Lyme disease can cause a localized rash known as the “bull’s-eye” rash. This rash can expand far beyond the bite and is often the first sign of Lyme disease. Generally, this rash isn’t painful or itchy, but it can be in rare cases. 

If you suspect signs of Lyme disease, get medical care as quickly as you can. Check for a single rash or multiple circular rashes, as these could be an extension of where the bacteria is traveling throughout the body. 


GET TICKS UNDER CONTROL WITH JOSHUA’S PEST CONTROL

Ticks can be scary and frustrating to deal with. They’re tiny and hard to see until they cause a problem, but once they do, you need to take action for your health. Getting ticks controlled in your yard and around your home can greatly reduce the risk of a bite. Our team is here to help. Give us a call today so we can discuss options for deterring ticks from your property. Protect your family and pets year-round with our comprehensive pest control for lawns.

SOURCES

Author Bio

Courtney Enzor has worked in the pest control industry for about a decade. From helping you build a fly trap to giving you the best tips for identifying various bugs, she loves answering all your pest-related questions and sharing her pest-related expertise through writing. At the end of the day, she hopes her content will help people avoid mishaps and keep families happy and healthy!

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