Ticks

What Are Ticks?

Ticks are small, parasitic arachnids that feed on the blood of animals and humans. They belong to the order Parasitiformes and are closely related to mites. Ticks are external parasites, meaning they live on the outside of their hosts and attach themselves to feed. They are found worldwide, particularly in warm, humid environments such as forests, grasslands, and areas with dense vegetation.

Types of Ticks

There are over 850 species of ticks in the world, which belong to two main families: Ixodidae (hard ticks) and Argasidae (soft ticks). Here are some of the most notable ones:

• American Dog Ticks: American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) are hard-bodied ticks commonly found in grassy fields, along trails, and in wooded areas throughout North America, particularly in the eastern, central, and Pacific Coast regions.
• Asian Longhorned Ticks: Asian longhorned ticks (Haemaphysalis longicornis) are an invasive tick species in the United States, originally from East Asia.
• Blacklegged Ticks: Blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis), also known as deer ticks, are small, hard-bodied ticks commonly found in wooded and grassy areas of North America. They are notable for their role in transmitting Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and other infections.
• Brown Dog Ticks: Brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) are unique among ticks because they thrive in indoor environments, particularly in homes, kennels, and dog shelters.
• Lone Star Ticks: Lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) are aggressive, hard-bodied ticks commonly found in the southeastern and eastern United States. Their bites have been linked to the development of alpha-gal syndrome, which causes an allergic reaction to red meat.

Are Ticks Harmful?

Ticks are considered pests for several compelling reasons, each tied to their biology, behavior, and the health risks they pose to both humans and animals. Here are some of the ways in which ticks are harmful:

• Disease Transmission:  Ticks are notorious vectors of a wide range of serious diseases. Their ability to transmit pathogens during feeding makes them a major public health threat. Ticks are responsible for transmitting illnesses to humans, such as: Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi), Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Rickettsia rickettsii), Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Tularemia, Ehrlichiosis, and Powassan virus (a potentially fatal encephalitis). Ticks also affect livestock and pets, spreading conditions like: Canine ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis, Bovine anaplasmosis, Theileriosis in cattle, and Equine piroplasmosis in horses. The public health impact of tick-borne diseases makes them especially dangerous, often requiring surveillance and coordinated management efforts.
• Parasitic Feeding Behavior: Ticks are obligate blood feeders, which means they must feed on blood to survive and reproduce. This parasitic behavior is inherently harmful to their hosts. Ticks embed their mouthparts into the skin of humans or animals and may remain attached for several days, feeding on blood. Their feeding can cause localized irritation, inflammation, allergic reactions, and even secondary infections. In severe infestations (especially in livestock), blood loss can lead to anemia, reduced productivity, and weakened immune systems.
• Stealth and Persistence: Ticks are highly adapted to evade detection and removal, which increases their pest status. Their saliva contains anesthetic compounds, which numb the bite site and allow them to feed undetected. They secrete anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory agents to maintain a blood flow and prevent host immune response. Nymphs and larvae are extremely small, making early detection very difficult.
• Reproductive Capacity and Lifecycle Complexity: Ticks have a complex lifecycle that includes four stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. This makes them particularly resilient and difficult to control. A single female tick can lay thousands of eggs. Their lifecycle often involves multiple hosts and may span years, complicating eradication efforts. Ticks can survive long periods without feeding, allowing them to remain dormant until a host becomes available.

Ticks are not merely nuisances; they are dangerous ectoparasites and disease vectors with significant implications for public health, animal health, and economic stability. Their ability to transmit debilitating diseases, coupled with their stealthy and persistent nature, make them one of the most medically significant arthropod pests globally. Comprehensive tick management is essential to reduce their impact and safeguard both human and animal populations.

Tick Control

Hiring our professional tick exterminators offers several key benefits that go beyond what most homeowners or property managers can achieve with DIY methods. Ticks pose significant health risks to both humans and pets, as they are known carriers of diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Ehrlichiosis. Our professional extermination services provide a strategic, safe, and long-term approach to managing tick infestations. Here are some of the advantages:

• Accurate Identification and Inspection: Our professional exterminators are trained to accurately identify tick species and assess the extent of an infestation. Different tick species may require slightly different treatment strategies. A thorough inspection of your property allows our experts to determine breeding grounds, entry points, and environmental factors that contribute to tick populations, ensuring targeted and effective treatment.
• Customized Treatment Plans: Unlike one-size-fits-all DIY sprays or store-bought products, our professionals develop tailored treatment plans based on your specific situation. This includes the type of ticks, severity of the infestation, size of the property, vegetation density, and presence of pets or wildlife. Custom solutions are more effective at eliminating ticks at all life stages — eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults.
• Use of Professional-Grade Products and Equipment: Our licensed pest control professionals have access to EPA-registered products and advanced application equipment that are more potent and longer-lasting than over-the-counter options. These treatments are often designed to be low in toxicity for humans and pets but highly effective against ticks. Our professionals also know how to apply them safely and in compliance with all relevant regulations.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Approach: Our experienced exterminators use a holistic IPM strategy that combines chemical treatments with habitat modification, exclusion techniques, and ongoing monitoring. This comprehensive approach ensures the elimination of existing tick populations while preventing future infestations by addressing root causes, such as overgrown vegetation, standing water, and wildlife hosts.
• Health and Safety Benefits: Ticks are vectors of serious illnesses, and improper handling during removal or pesticide application can put your family or pets at risk. Our professionals minimize exposure to hazardous chemicals and reduce the risk of tick bites during treatment. We also offer guidance on post-treatment precautions and tick-bite prevention techniques for long-term protection.
• Time and Cost Efficiency: While our professional services may seem more expensive up front, they save time and money in the long run by eliminating infestations more effectively and reducing the need for repeated treatments. DIY attempts often require multiple applications and can lead to ineffective results or recurrence, ultimately costing more in wasted products and increased risk.
• Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance: We perform ongoing visits and maintenance programs to monitor tick activity over time. Regular treatments and inspections ensure that your property remains tick-free through all seasons, especially in peak tick activity periods like spring and summer.
• Expert Advice and Education: Our professionals provide valuable advice on how to maintain a tick-free environment, such as landscaping tips, pet care recommendations, and proper yard sanitation practices. This empowers property owners to take proactive steps that complement professional treatments and reduce long-term risks.

Hiring our professional tick exterminators is a proactive investment in the safety, health, and comfort of your home or property. Our expertise, advanced tools, and integrated approach offer a level of effectiveness and assurance that DIY methods simply cannot match. Whether you’re dealing with a current infestation or looking to prevent one, our professional tick control service is the most reliable path to long-term protection.

Learn more: The Trick To Protecting Yourself From Dangerous Ticks

Learn more: Natural Tick Repellents

Tick Appearance

Ticks are small, blood-feeding parasites that vary in size depending on their developmental stage, but they are typically no larger than a small pea when fully engorged after feeding. Adult ticks are usually oval or flattened in shape and have a hard, shield-like structure called a scutum on their back. Their bodies are often brown or reddish-brown, with some species exhibiting lighter markings. Ticks possess eight legs, which is a distinguishing feature of arachnids, to which they belong. Their mouths have specialized parts, including a hypostome, which they use to anchor themselves to the skin of their host while feeding. Unfed ticks are usually quite small, around the size of a sesame seed, and may be difficult to spot, particularly when they're still in their larval or nymphal stages. Engorged ticks, however, swell significantly, turning a pale, translucent color as they fill with blood, making them much more noticeable.

Learn more: What Do Ticks Look Like?

Learn more: What Do Tick Eggs Look Like?

Learn more: Can Ticks Fly?

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Tick Habitats

Ticks are commonly found in outdoor environments, particularly in areas where vegetation is dense and where they can easily access potential hosts. The most likely places to encounter ticks are wooded areas, tall grasses, and brushy fields, especially those with high humidity, as ticks thrive in moist environments. Forest edges, overgrown lawns, and hiking trails through wooded areas are common habitats for ticks. They tend to rest on vegetation, waiting for a host to pass by, and they often attach themselves to animals or humans that brush against or pass close to the plants they are resting on.

Ticks are also frequently encountered in areas with deer populations, as deer are a major host for many tick species. Other common areas include national parks, wildlife reserves, and suburban yards with wooded borders or near areas where wildlife is abundant. Additionally, ticks can be found in areas around rivers, streams, and wetlands, where the humidity levels are typically higher. If you live in or travel through such regions, especially during warmer months when ticks are most active, it’s important to take precautions to minimize exposure, such as wearing long sleeves, using tick repellents, and performing thorough tick checks after spending time outdoors.

Learn more: Tick Infestations - Signs, Causes, And Prevention