Ticks

Ticks Identification Guide

Physical Characteristics

Ticks are small parasites related to spiders. They feed on blood from mammals, birds, and reptiles. They have flat, oval bodies that swell when full of blood. Their color ranges from brown to reddish-brown or black, depending on the species and life stage. Unlike insects, ticks have eight legs and no antennae. This makes them easy to tell apart from other pests. They move slowly and wait on plants for a host to walk by.

Common Species

• Black-legged tick: Also called the deer tick. It is a main carrier of Lyme disease.

• American dog tick: Larger than the deer tick. It can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

• Lone star tick: Easy to spot by the white dot on females. It spreads ehrlichiosis and other illnesses.

• Brown dog tick: Often found indoors. It mainly affects dogs but can bite people too.

Ticks Behavior and Biology

Ticks go through four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Larvae have six legs, while nymphs and adults have eight. Each stage after the egg needs a blood meal to grow to the next phase. Ticks find hosts by sensing heat, movement, and carbon dioxide. Some species, like the black-legged tick, can take up to three years to complete their life cycle. They often survive winter in leaf litter or soil. Ticks can spread many diseases, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

How We Treat for Ticks

Tick numbers are highest in Spring and Fall. Our treatments focus on those seasons:

• Granular applications in March and November: We target tick hiding spots to stop breeding before peak season.

• April to October topical sprays: We treat the edges of your property where your lawn meets wooded areas. This is where ticks are most active.

• Consultation and prevention: Our technicians will find problem areas and suggest ways to reduce tick habitats. This includes clearing brush, leaf litter, and overgrown plants.

Health Risks and Tick-Borne Diseases

Ticks carry several diseases that affect people and pets in Northern Virginia. The most common ones are:

• Lyme disease: Spread mainly by black-legged ticks. Early signs include a “bull’s-eye” rash, fever, and feeling tired.

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever: Spread by American dog ticks. Signs include fever, headache, and a spotted rash.

• Ehrlichiosis: Spread by lone star ticks. Causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle aches.

• Babesiosis: An infection that harms red blood cells. Spread by black-legged ticks.

Medical Disclaimer: This is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. If you think a tick bit you or you have symptoms of a tick disease, see a doctor right away.

References and Further Reading

• CDC Tick-Borne Diseases Information
• Virginia Department of Health - Lyme Disease
• EPA Tick Control Best Practices
• University of Rhode Island TickEncounter Resource Center