Ticks are in the same family as spiders, arachnids. They are hematophages, meaning they subsist on drinking the blood of their "host." They exist throughout the United States, although in some regions they mostly attack animals. Very often when someone is bitten into by the tick, they find the tick still attached because the tick can stay attached for several days. Some ticks carry fatal diseases, so be aware of any symptoms of illness after spending time in tick-infested areas. Many tick bites look like mosquito bites. Identifying a tick is easiest by simply knowing what areas that type of tick inhabits.
Step 1
Identify the deer tick by very characteristic bull's eye rash at the site of penetration. The deer tick is notorious because it carries Lyme disease. It is also known as the black-legged tick or the sheep tick. It has a black or reddish body with a visible grayish sac. It is quite small; six of them would fit onto a dime.
Step 2
Identify the brown dog tick by the animal it bites. The brown dog tick is common all over the United States. The good news is that it mostly attaches to dogs, not humans. It is reddish-brown in color and prefers to attach itself near the ear area. It is unlikely to carry any disease fatal to humans.
Step 3
Identify the American dog tick by its color, reddish-brown, and the region it inhabits, the Southwest. Female American dog ticks feature a large silver spot behind their heads. The American dog tick can carry Lyme disease and tularemia as well as tick paralysis.
Step 4
Identify the lone star tick by the "star." It is found southeastern and south central states. Both male and female ticks have white markings on their backs, but the female has a spot in the center of her back. The lone star tick does not transmit Lyme disease, but it can leave a rash in a circle similar to the one from a deer tick.
Step 5
Identify the Rocky Mountain wood tick by signs of illness. The tick may look like a dog tick, or may have a design on its back. It is found in the Rocky Mountain states. It carries Rocky Mountain spotted fever. This illness is identified by red dots around the wrists and the ankles of the victim. It may also carry tularemia and Colorado tick fever, and is a major cause of tick paralysis.
Step 6
Identify the Gulf Coast tick by its location along the southeast coast of the United States. It has an intricate white design on its back. Its bite can carry R. parkeri rickettsiosis.
Tips and Warnings
- If you are in a region that has ticks that carry deadly diseases, wear clothing with long white sleeves and long light-colored pants. Tuck your cuffs into your shoes. Inspect your body after spending time outdoors. If a tick has attached itself to you, remove it immediately. Remove a tick by using tweezers to grab it as close to the skin as possible and pulling it straight out. Watch carefully for any sign of disease.
- It is less important to identify the type of tick than to be alert for illness and seek medical care at the first sign. Not all ticks in an area carry disease, so a bite does not automatically mean an infection.
Things You'll Need
- Guide to insects
- Tweezers
- Magnifying glass
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