Brown Dog Tick Facts
Unlike many of it’s cousins, the brown dog tick can complete every stage of life indoors. This makes it easy to find all over the world, because even in colder climates all over the world, the brown dog tick can still be found ticking people (and pets) off on a regular basis. While it can annoy a variety of animals, you’ll find this tick usually hanging out on your canine companion.
Brown Dog Tick Bites
Ticks are notorious transmitters of disease. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a common illness contracted by both dogs and humans in the United States. This is characterized by a slow-developing rash over the course of a week in humans, followed by nausea, fever, and muscle pain.
Brown dog ticks can also carry canine Ehrlichiosis, also known as canine typhus or dog AIDS. Dogs may develop fever, bleeding, and discharge from the nose and eyes. Dogs that have a severe case of this may die.
Dogs may also contract Babesia, a disease that attacks red blood cells, causing them to become anemic. Severe cases may result in fever, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes.
These diseases, aside from RMSF, will not normally affect humans. However, should you exhibit any abnormal symptoms after coming into contact with these ticks, seek medical attention.
Brown Dog Tick Infestation
The mating process occurs on the host animal after a blood meal. She will lay her eggs in a protected area. Once they hatch, the young ticks seek out another host so they can feed, starting the process all over again.
Types of Brown Dog Ticks
Brown Dog Tick Identification
This tick is distinguished by it’s reddish-brown body that lacks any other notable markings. It has an elongated body that measures ⅛ of an inch to ¼ of an inch long. After feeding, females may bloat to ½ an inch in length. Males look similar to females, but are slightly smaller.
Brown Dog Ticks In The Yard & The House
It will almost always be found indoors. Over the course of it’s life, this tick will have three different hosts on which it will feed. While it prefers dogs, you’ll occasionally find this tick trying to buddy-up with humans. On your canine friends, these ticks like to hide in warm spaces like behind the ears, near the neck, or even between the toes of dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you remove brown dog ticks?
It is best to always remove ticks with fine-tipped tweezers, nabbing them as close to the surface of the skin as possible. Pull in an upward motion, applying even pressure to get the entire body. If some parts are left behind, it’s alright to let them heal over. After the tick is gone, wash both the affected and your hands with soap and water, iodine, or rubbing alcohol to disinfect them.
How can you prevent brown dog ticks?
These ticks, because they are often found indoors, are difficult to control. You may want to speak to your vet about medications for your animals to kill any ticks that they may be harboring. If there is an infestation, you may need to contact professional pest control experts who will have access to a variety of chemicals to get them out of your hair—and your pet’s.
What are the benefits of professional brown dog tick pest removal?
A pest management professional has the education, equipment and skills necessary to effectively address an brown dog tick problem. Finding and treating the brown dog ticks can be challenging, especially if they are spread throughout your yard. A pest management professional provides their expertise to identify the pest problem and determine the best possible solution to resolve the brown dog ticks infestation.