American Dog Tick Control

Whether residents in New Jersey refer to this pest as a wood tick or an American dog tick, it is always bad news. These ticks can make people ill.

People often encounter American dog ticks in places where they hike, birdwatch, hunt, cycle, kayak, or camp. Most encounters occur in the spring and summer. However, ticks can also be found in suburban and urban areas if conditions are right. Many people bring ticks home unknowingly after outdoor activities.

To stay protected outdoors, people should:

Wear long pants tucked into boots or socks.
Wear long sleeves and use insect repellent.
Perform a tick check before getting back in the car.
Check clothing, gear, hair, pets, and children for ticks.

If an American dog tick infestation occurs, the best response is to contact a pest control professional. Exterminators have the knowledge and tools to eliminate tick infestations effectively.

What Do American Dog Ticks Look Like?

American dog ticks have flat, oval-shaped bodies. Unfed adults are about 5 mm long, but they can swell to 15 mm after feeding. They are brown with white and gray markings.

As arachnids, adult ticks have eight legs, while larvae have only six. Their legs help them navigate through hair and fur.

Where Do American Dog Ticks Live?

American dog ticks are widespread across the eastern U.S., including the Delaware Valley region. They thrive in brushy, wooded areas and often position themselves along trails, paths, and roads to find hosts.

Without the ability to fly or jump, ticks use a method called "questing." They cling to foliage with their rear legs while extending their front legs to latch onto passing hosts.

Damage Caused by American Dog Ticks

Although ticks do not typically damage property, they are unwelcome pests that can be difficult to eliminate. They can survive and reproduce indoors if carried inside. Professional pest control treatments target ticks at all life stages to prevent reinfestation.

What Do American Dog Ticks Eat?

As external parasites, American dog ticks require blood meals to survive. Adults are attracted to dogs, cattle, and people, while younger ticks prefer small rodents.

Are American Dog Ticks Aggressive?

Both male and female ticks feed on blood, but females are more aggressive. They stay on a host for more than a week, whereas males feed for only a couple of days. After feeding, they seek mates, and females lay approximately 4,000 eggs before dying.

Do American Dog Ticks Carry Disease?

American dog ticks can transmit diseases such as:

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Symptoms include fever, rash, nausea, headache, and muscle pain. Severe cases can lead to paralysis or amputation.
Tularemia: Symptoms include diarrhea, mouth sores, inflamed eyes, sore throat, skin ulcers, and swollen lymph glands. Complications may lead to pneumonia and respiratory failure.

How to Detect American Dog Ticks

Signs of tick presence include:

Visual sightings of ticks indoors or outdoors.
Ticks found on pets.

How to Prevent American Dog Ticks

To reduce tick exposure:

Wear long pants and sleeves in tick-infested areas.
Use insect repellents.
Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily.
Perform tick checks on people, pets, and outdoor equipment before entering homes.
Maintain landscaping by trimming plants and mowing grass.
Remove outdoor clutter.

How to Treat for Ticks

At Newtown Termite & Pest Control, we take tick problems seriously. We use a comprehensive approach combining treatment and prevention for homes and businesses.

Our treatment targets areas where ticks hide, including cracks, crevices, doors, windows, baseboards, carpets, furniture, and pet areas. We use high-quality professional products to eliminate ticks on contact and provide long-lasting protection.

Schedule a FREE inspection today.

Get the Facts

● Tickborne Diseases (CDC)

Courtesy: Newtown Termite & Pest Control, Inc.