What Kind of Ticks Are Found in North Texas?

Ticks are commonly found in wooded areas.

Ticks are tiny parasites that feed on the blood of their hosts. Ticks thrive in warm climates and live in areas covered by brush, grass and plants. According to Purdue University, there are an estimated 899 species of ticks in the world with over 90 species inhabiting the Continental U.S. Many ticks do not interact with humans or animals, but some ticks pose certain health risks. The American dog tick, the lone star tick, the deer tick and the brown dog tick transmit potentially dangerous diseases and can be found in northern areas of Texas.

American Dog Tick

The American dog tick, dermacentor variabilis, is more commonly known as the woodtick. The American dog tick is found throughout the eastern U.S., Pacific Coast and northern Texas regions. They feed mainly on dogs and humans and are most active in early spring and summer. The adult American dog tick is reddish-brown and about 3/16-inch long. They can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tick paralysis, tularemia and anaplasmosis to animals and humans.

Lone Star Tick

The lone star tick, amblyomma americanum, is named for the star-shaped mark on the center of its back. It is found throughout the southern U.S. States including the northern Texas region. The lone star tick feeds on a variety of hosts, including humans, dogs and cats. Adult ticks are brown and 1/8-inch long. People bitten by lone star ticks may develop a circular rash resembling the rash of early Lyme disease. The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed the lone star tick does not transmit Lyme disease. Lone star ticks may transmit tularemia and spotted fever to humans.

Deer Tick

The deer tick, ixodes scapularis, is also known as the black-legged tick. Deer ticks are found in wooded areas of the southeastern U.S. states including Texas. The deer tick feeds primarily on deer, mice, birds and lizards. Deer ticks are most active from July to September. Adult deer ticks are about as big as a sesame seed and reddish-brown in color. The deer tick can transmit Lyme disease and anaplasmosis to humans and animals.

Brown Dog Tick

The brown dog tick, rhipicephalus sanguineus, is found in Texas and most of areas of the southern U.S. The brown dog tick is active year-round because it can survive its entire life cycle indoors. It feeds mainly on dogs but will also feed on other mammals, including humans. High infestation levels of dog ticks often occur in kennels and animal hospitals. Dog ticks rarely cause diseases in humans, but can transmit canine ehrlichiosis and canine babesia to dogs.

References

• FamilyDoctor.org: Tick-Borne Diseases
• TickTexas.org: Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in Texas
• Purdue University: Medical Entomology: Insects and Ticks
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Tick-Borne Diseases
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lone Star Tick a Concern, But Not For Lyme Disease
• National Geographic: Deer Tick