American Dog Tick

Tick Control Products

Dogs are the preferred host of adults of this tick species, but they will feed on larger animals.

This tick is a carrier of the causal organism of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Symptons:

Symptoms appear 3 to 12 days after tick contact. There is a sudden onset of symptoms that include fever, headache, and aching muscles. A rash usually develops on the wrists and ankles on the second or third day of fever. The rash then spreads to involve the rest of the body, including the palms and soles. If you experience fever following tick contact, see your physician. It is important to receive the appropriate antibiotics as soon as possible if spotted fever is suspected. Most fatalities can be attributed to a delay in seeking medical attention.

It occurs throughout the easter and centeral United States.

The American dog tick goes through an egg, larva, nymph, and adult stage during its development.

While they may be found throughout the year, adults are most active during late April through May.

The immature stages may feed on these same hosts but prefer to infest smaller mammals such as meadow mice, squirrels, and chipmunks.

All stages of the American dog tick will also feed on humans if given the opportunity.

They do not transmit Lyme disease.

Although dog ticks do not carry Lyme disease, they are the main carrier of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in the midwest states.

Control of American dog ticks in outdoor areas is extremely difficult.
While several insecticides are labeled for outdoor tick control, they are usually not effective in eliminating large numbers of ticks in brushy, heavily wooded areas.
There are, however, some management techniques that can discourage a buildup of ticks in these areas.

Modifying the habitat is a more permanent approach to tick management.
Since ticks must be in areas of high humidity in order to survive, they are most commonly found in grassy, brushy, wooded, and shaded areas.
Therefore, reducing the humidity in these areas by keeping grass well-clipped, removing brush, and pruning trees to allow more sunlight to penetrate to the soil surface will discourage ticks from becoming established in these areas.

Insecticide sprays could be sprayed with limited results.

Bifen IT   or  CONQUER are two recommended products.

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