Tick Types and the Signs of Tick: Every American Should Know

An understanding of Tick Types and the signs of tick infestation is important to shield anyone who resides in or travels to the United States. As tick populations increase and their health threat widens, understanding tick types, where they prefer to reside, and indicators of infestation is the most important key to shielding yourself, your family, and your animals. This guidebook will take you through the fundamentals of Tick Types and the signs of tick, taking into consideration pets in general, to ensure you stay updated and safe all year round.

Introduction to Tick Species and Symptoms of Tick

Ticks are small arachnids that feed on reptile, mammal, and bird blood. Early detection of them and diagnosis of symptoms of tick infestation can avoid a host of serious health conditions that range from skin rashes to the transmission of lethal diseases.

The frequent signs and symptoms of tick bites among animals and humans are:

• Redness or rash due to biting for which there is no cause
• Itching or burning
• Itchiness

Discovery of a tick on the skin

Flu-like signs like fever, headache, or tiredness if tick-borne illness occurs

Early detection of such indications of tick issues is an extremely vital element of pest control for American homes.

Tick Types: Hard Ticks and Soft Ticks

All the ticks belong to two major groups: soft ticks and hard ticks. Human encounters with most of the ticks are with hard ticks, like blacklegged ticks and American dog ticks, while soft ticks are rarely encountered on animals and humans. Hard ticks can be easily recognized by the shield-like plate at the posterior of the tick and are the primary vectors of all the tick-borne diseases in the U.S.

Key Tick Species to understand:

Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick)

• American Dog Tick
• Lone Star Tick
• Brown Dog Tick
• Western Blacklegged Tick
• Rocky Mountain Wood Tick

Each of these Tick Species has its own unique perils and regions where it is most frequently encountered.

Top Tick Species in the US

Learn the top Tick Species in the US—they’re coast to coast and spread a range of health threats.

Blacklegged Tick

widespread in the Northeast, Midwest, & mid-Atlantic

• Gloomy colored, Tiny legs and orange-brown-colored frame
• Spreads borrelliosis disease, babesiosis, and other illnesses

American Dog Tick

Shrublands and grasslands, mostly in the East and parts of the West Coast

• Reddish-brown, heavier body with white or gray marks
• Transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia

Lone Star Tick

• Southeastern and eastern states are infested
• Female has a white mark 

Identified to bite aggressively and cause ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and alpha-gal syndrome 

Brown Dog Tick and Western Blacklegged Tick

The brown dog tick resides indoors alone and is found throughout the country

• The western blacklegged tick is a West Coast plague, doing well normally in California to spread Lyme disease
• These are the typical Tick Types that exist in the US and cause most tick bites American homes get.

Tick Types in America for Dog Owners

You need to be aware of Tick Types in America as a dog owner so that you and your dog can be protected. Ticks present in the park, on trails, or even in your own back yard.

American Dog Tick: Particularly dangerous to dogs, paralysis inducing, and carrier of life-threatening disease

Blacklegged Tick: Spreads Lyme disease in dogs, leading to lameness, fatigue, and kidney disease

Lone Star Tick: Will transmit ehrlichiosis and anemia in canines

Brown Dog Tick: Will infest kennels and dwellings and be a nuisance year-round

To stop problems with Tick Types in America on your canine, check your canine after every excursion, apply veterinarian-approved tick preventives, and clean up your yard.

How to Know If Your Canine Has Tick Infestation: Sign of Tick

Your lifeline is information about Tick Types and symptoms of ticks. Be alert for:

• Itchy or swollen skin, exclusively in secret area’s of the body
• Small red spots on skin, scalp, or pet’s fur
• Ticks in skin at hair cylinder, in ears, or between toes

Mysterious behavior or unusual sign in pets, i.e., limping, fever, or drowsiness

If you spot any of these ticks, pull off the tick at once with tweezers and check for signs of illness.

Conclusion

Of all the Tick Species and signs of tick problems, the adult blacklegged tick is quite troublesome. Adult blacklegged ticks are tiny but can transmit Lyme disease & other illnesses. Adult blacklegged ticks roam more during cold weather and inhabit woodland and grassland environments.

As Tick Types and the signs of tick are a pain in the neck for millions of Americans, it’s highly important to stay in peak preparedness, keep a lookout for preventive measures, and take action immediately if you spot any tick. For reliable pest tips and additional tips on how to defend your home and your pet, visit saynopest—your pest control partner.

Read more about ticks: 5 Tick Types