Ticks are on the move right now and it’s expected to be an active season.In Massachusetts, the two most common species are deer ticks and dog ticks, here’s what you need to know.Dog ticks are much larger and easier to spot than deer ticks.The dog tick adults and larvae start hunting (or questing) for hosts in April. Both ticks have brown legs and a similar overall shape despite their differences in size.The preferred habitat of these two species varies slightly, making it easier to determine which type of tick you’ll find in your surrounding areas. Deer ticks primarily seek out large hosts for extended periods of engorgement, including deer, dogs, and humans.Trying to identify the type of tick found on your loved one or pet? Some of their favorite hosts are raccoons, so if you notice a lot of racoons in the area, there is a good chance dog ticks are present. To learn more about tick prevention, contact today! Females deer ticks are brown to reddish-orange, with a dark brown/black area behind their head. The two common types in much of the US are the deer tick and the dog tick.
Nymphs are a light brown color and typically 2–3 millimeters in diameter.
There are nine are found in the United States. Dog ticks are known to frequent open areas with long grass, which make hiking trails and large fields an ideal environment for the species. The nymphs become active in May. Female. In fact, only 1 out of 200 dog ticks is likely to pass on harmful bacteria. In fact, only 1 in about 200 are likely to carry harmful germs and bacteria.Deer ticks are smaller and not nearly as easy to spot as a dog tick.Adult deer ticks are active from October to May, as long as the weather is above freezing.
Ticks love long grass and piles of leaves!Don’t forget about daily tick checks on you and your pets. Large trees and shrubs are the ideal home for deer ticks, making them attracted to many wooded areas and backyards.Dog ticks begin searching for their host in April, while new nymphs appear in May. How do they differ? Deer tick nymphs are incredibly small and are most commonly found well hidden on the body behind knees, armpits, the waist, or near areas with hair. However, the dog tick can survive up to two years without a host!Dog tick nymphs and adults can transmit diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Tularemia, BUT these ticks are much less likely to cause harm to humans. Dog ticks are not too picky about their hosts, choosing small field mice, dogs, or large deer to prey upon. The first thing to realize is that both deer ticks and dog ticks come in different stages.
When are they active? Dog ticks are much larger and easier to spot than deer ticks. Adult Deer ticks are about the size of a poppy seed and can be very hard to see. Deer tick nymphs are active May through August.Adult deer ticks are in search of large hosts. Be sure to save the tick, after removal, and record where you were bitten. When it comes to dog or deer ticks, prevention is the best possible guard against possibly getting sick. Deer ticks can also transit Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis. Male American Dog Tick, Courtesy of Griffin Dill, UMaine Cooperative Extension. Where are dogs ticks found? Also, spray tick repellent on your skin and clothes.. Also, keep your yard trimmed and maintained. Like deer ticks, dog ticks vary in size and color depending on their states of maturity. Everyone in Massachusetts should know their ticks. They continue searching for hosts until the weather cools in the fall. The dog tick adults and larvae start hunting (or questing) for hosts in April. Just like deer ticks, American dog ticks are three-host ticks, meaning adults have already fed twice before they seek out humans. Roughly 1 in 4 deer ticks can harbor dangerous illnesses and diseases like, Lyme disease, Babesiosis, and Anaplasmosis.If you notice a tick has embedded itself in you or a family member, knowing which kind is important.
If the tick you remove is a dog tick, chances are you will be fine.