What Are the Most Common Ticks in the Southeastern U.S.?

Here in the southeast region, you have to watch out for ticks anytime you spend time out in nature. There are five species of ticks in the southeast that are so common that you should know about them:

• American dog tick
• Brown dog tick
• Lone star tick
• Blacklegged tick
• Gulf coast tick

Top 5 Most Common Ticks in the Southeast

Just five? While that might not sound like a lot (especially when there are more than 800 tick species worldwide), these five tend to be inescapable, especially in the spring and summer months when conditions are ripe for tick breeding.

Lookout Pest Control provides tick control services in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina. In our many years of helping homeowners and businesses solve their tick problems, these are the five you’re most likely to see and what we’ve learned about them.

1. American Dog Tick

The American dog tick is reddish-brown with distinctive gray or silver markings and prefers grassy fields and woodland paths. Like its name suggests, they love latching onto our canine friends, so be careful to check your dog after spending time outdoors (and your cat, too). 

However, they’re also quite common on humans, so be sure to also check yourself and family members.

Habitats:

• Open fields 
• Hiking trails
• Along the edges of forests or wooded areas

Risks:

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Tularemia

Prevention Tips:

• Regularly check pets and people after outdoor activities
• Use insect repellents containing DEET or permethrin

2. Brown Dog Tick

If you have an indoor tick infestation, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with brown dog ticks. The brown dog tick is reddish-brown and often found in homes in our region, particularly if dogs reside there. This makes them rather unique among ticks, as the vast majority of ticks can only live in outdoor habitats. 

The brown dog tick can complete its entire life cycle inside a house, reproducing in large numbers until you’re dealing with a full-scale infestation. While they’re more dangerous to animals, they can still cause issues in humans.

Habitats:

• Indoors (homes, kennels, veterinary clinics)
• Often come from wooded areas and areas with tall grass

Risks:

• Canine ehrlichiosis and babesiosis
• Rarely affects humans but can infest homes quickly

Prevention Tips:

• Maintain tick prevention on pets
• Inspect homes and pet areas frequently

3. Lone Star Tick

The lone star tick is recognizable by the distinctive white spot on females and is aggressive in seeking hosts in wooded or brushy habitats. This tick is noteworthy for its ability to transmit “Alpha-gal syndrome” with its bites.

Alpha-gal syndrome is a red meat allergy, and yes, it’s as bad as it sounds. A person suffering from Alpha-gal syndrome will experience nausea and even vomiting when exposed to all types of red meat. This meat allergy can resolve for some after a period of years, but not for all.

Habitats:

• Wooded and brushy areas

Risks:

• Ehrlichiosis
• Alpha-gal syndrome (red meat allergy)

Prevention Tips:

• Wear protective clothing and tick repellent
• Perform thorough tick checks after being outdoors

4. Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick)

Also commonly known as deer ticks, blacklegged ticks are notorious as one of the most common carriers of Lyme disease. This isn’t the only issue blacklegged ticks can cause, either – they can transmit several other diseases to animals and people.

Blacklegged ticks are smaller, dark-colored ticks that inhabit moist, wooded areas. They get their name because they can be quite common on white-tailed deer. So, if you live near an area known for having deer, beware of the likely possibility of nearby deer ticks.

Habitats:

• Moist, shaded wooded areas

Risks:

• Lyme disease
• Anaplasmosis
• Babesiosis

Prevention Tips:

• Avoid leaf litter and tall grass
• Promptly remove ticks and monitor for symptoms

5. Gulf Coast Tick

The Gulf coast tick is not found in much of the southeast, but it is found in Alabama, so it’s worth mentioning. You should also note that the natural ranges of many types of ticks have expanded in recent years, so if it’s found in Alabama now, it may eventually make its way to neighboring states next.

The Gulf coast tick features ornate silver streaks on its reddish-brown body and thrives in coastal uplands and grassy areas.

Habitats:

• Coastal areas
• Grasslands
• Open woodlands

Risks:

• Rickettsia parkeri (spotted fever)

Prevention Tips:

• Wear protective clothing when in tick-prone habitats
• Regularly inspect pets and people after outdoor activities

How to Protect Yourself from Ticks

When outdoors in tick-prone areas, follow these simple but effective preventive measures:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, tucking your pants into your socks.
• Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or permethrin.
• Regularly inspect your body and your pets after spending time outdoors.
• Maintain your yard by regularly mowing grass, trimming bushes, and removing leaf litter.

What to Do If You Find a Tick

If you discover a tick attached to your skin, follow these steps:

1. Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your skin’s surface as possible.
2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure, avoiding twisting or jerking.
3. After removal, clean the area thoroughly with rubbing alcohol, iodine scrub, or soap and water.
4. Monitor the site and your health closely for several days; seek medical attention promptly if you develop symptoms such as fever, rash, or joint pain.

By staying informed about ticks in the southeast and taking preventive steps, you can significantly reduce your risk of tick-related health issues. If ticks are becoming a persistent issue around your home or property, contact Lookout Pest Control for experienced tick control you can count on.