Black-Legged Tick Control in Ewing, NJ

Also known as a deer tick, the black-legged tick is one of Ewing's most common ticks. It is notorious for spreading dangerous pathogens.

Black-legged ticks undergo four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. At most stages, they consume blood meals from various vertebrates, including people and pets, though they prefer white-tailed deer.

These ticks are commonly found in tall grasslands, shrub areas, and deciduous forests, which are also habitats for white-tailed deer. Humans and pets visiting these areas can easily bring black-legged ticks into residential and commercial properties.

Black-legged ticks are vectors for Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis. Due to the serious health risks, professional tick control is essential.

What Do Black-Legged Ticks Look Like?

Black-legged ticks are among the smallest ticks in North America. Adult ticks reach about the size of a sesame seed but can swell when engorged. They have a flat, oval shape, a reddish body, a black dorsal shield, and sharply pointed mouthparts. As arachnids, they have eight legs.

Where Do Black-Legged Ticks Live?

This species is most commonly found where white-tailed deer live, including deciduous forests, tall grasslands, and shrub-heavy areas. People can pick up ticks while hiking or camping, making thorough tick checks essential after outdoor activities.

What Do Black-Legged Ticks Eat?

Black-legged ticks feed on the blood of vertebrates, preferring white-tailed deer but also feeding on amphibians, reptiles, birds, and humans. They detect hosts using body odor, breath, vibrations, moisture, and body heat. Ticks latch onto hosts through a process called "questing," clinging to vegetation and quickly attaching to a passing host.

Damage Caused by Black-Legged Ticks

While they do not damage landscaping or structures, black-legged ticks pose significant health risks. Their small size makes them difficult to detect, and they are unwelcome parasites in both homes and workplaces.

Are Black-Legged Ticks Aggressive?

Black-legged ticks are not selective about their hosts. Once attached, they feed for several days. If a tick is found, it should be removed promptly using tweezers to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Do Black-Legged Ticks Carry Disease?

Yes. Black-legged ticks are known vectors for Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis.

Lyme Disease: Symptoms include fatigue, fever, headache, and rash. If untreated, it can affect the nervous system, heart, and joints. Antibiotics are the standard treatment.
Anaplasmosis: Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, severe headache, nausea, and vomiting. Antibiotics are effective.
Babesiosis: A rare condition with symptoms like fever, chills, nausea, and fatigue. In severe cases, it can cause hemolytic anemia and other complications requiring medical treatment.

How to Detect Black-Legged Ticks

Signs of a tick problem include:

Seeing a tick on a person or pet
Unusual symptoms after spending time in tick-prone areas

How to Prevent Black-Legged Ticks

Keep grass trimmed, especially around swing sets, trees, sheds, and fence lines
Remove woodpiles, weeds, and yard debris that attract tick-hosting animals
Secure garbage cans to prevent animal foraging
Use insect repellent in tick-prone areas
Wear light-colored clothing and tuck pants into socks for visibility and protection
Check pets and children for ticks before returning indoors

How to Treat for Ticks

At Newtown Termite & Pest Control, we use a comprehensive approach to tick control, combining treatment and prevention.

We treat key areas where ticks hide, such as cracks, crevices, baseboards, carpeting, furniture, and pet areas. Our professional-grade products eliminate ticks on contact and provide long-lasting protection against infestations.

Schedule a FREE inspection today.

Get the Facts

● Tickborne Diseases (CDC)

Courtesy: Newtown Termite & Pest Control, Inc.