American Dog Tick

American Dog Ticks (ADT) are small, only about 1/4 of an inch. They do swell after eating, sometimes up to more than a half inch. They are brown with tan or whitish markings and they are shaped like a flat oval. The nymphs have six legs, but grow into 8-legged arachnids as adults.

 

ADT that have attached to feed have been described as looking like brown watermelon seeds because the heads are not very visible. They don't bury themselves into skin, but after they attach their mouth pieces under the skin, the area may swell up around the head.

 

American Dog Ticks are named that simply because they are found in North America and commonly found on domestic dogs. They can be found in all types of areas, not just in wild, forested spaces. Ticks can thrive where they find an abundance of hosts, including suburban and urban areas. ADT do, however, want to stay outdoors and will not do well inside. Ticks will feed on three hosts during their lifecycle, ranging from small rodents to large livestock. ADT can live for years, depending on the availability of a host. Females can lay as many as 6,500 eggs before dying.

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American Dog Ticks carry three main diseases that can impact both humans and animals: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia, and Tick Paralysis. All can be fatal if left untreated.

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To learn more about American Dog Ticks, check out our blog post