spacer

Black-Legged Ticks


Feasterville, Trevose, Lower South





Black-Legged Tick Control in Feasterville, PA

Also known as a deer tick, the black-legged tick is one of Lower Southampton Township'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. These parasites are unwelcome 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 you find a tick,  remove it promptly with 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)

●  TICKBORNE DISEASES


Courtesy: Newtown Termite & Pest Control, Inc.

Tick On Skin
Tick Bite
Tick Protection
Lower South Tick Control Service Plans
PEST PROBLEMS?
Pests Rodents Insects Wasps Spiders
review
Pest Control Services in Bucks County, Eastern Montgomery County, Northeast Philadelphia & Central New Jersey
© Newtown Termite & Pest Control, Inc.
All Rights Reserved. Since 1993.