Ticks can cause Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Ticks are considered arachnids, which are in the same family as spiders and mites. They are one of the most efficient transporters of Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever due to their ability to attach themselves firmly to a body and suck blood. Ticks do not fly or jump, but crawl from grass or shrubs onto their hosts. There are hundreds of varieties of hard-shelled ticks, with the most common being the American dog tick, lone star tick, brown dog tick and deer tick.
American Dog Tick
The American dog tick, also called the wood tick, is the most common tick. It is most active in April, May and June, and causes such diseases as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia and ehrlichiosis. This tick is found in wooded areas, parks, wastelands and pastures, and will feed on such things as humans, raccoons and dogs. It is reddish-brown in color, with a spidery appearance. The female has a silver spot behind the head and the male has silver line on its back.
Lone Star Tick
This small tick will feed on animals and humans and is most active from April through the end of July. Lone star ticks are light brown in color, making them easier to find. The female has a white spot in the middle of the back. It can spread such diseases as such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis. It also spreads an illness called southern tick associated rash infection (STAR).
Deer Tick
The deer tick, also known as the black-legged tick, is one of the smallest ticks. The brown larvae feed on animals and people in the spring, and mainly on deer in the fall, when the ticks have matured to adults. The tick is a solid reddish brown color and is commonly found in wooded areas. Although this tick can be found in any state, it is most common in the Midwest. The deer tick can transmit Lyme disease.
Brown Dog Tick
The brown dog tick, also called the kennel tick, feeds mostly on the ears and between the toes of dogs. It is a tropical tick by nature, so it does not do well in the winter months in certain parts of the United States. This hardy tick can survive and mature indoors. It is common in homes and kennels, and is found in cracks, under rugs and furniture, on walls and in bedding. The brown dog tick does not commonly feed on people or carry disease. It is a nuisance, though, because it can lay 3,000 eggs at one time.
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