TICKS IN CONNECTICUT:

BLACKLEGGED TICK (DEER TICK):

 Deer ticks are the primary tick responsible for the transmission of Lyme Disease, and are also the carrier of human babesiosis and human anaplasmosis. Unfed females are about 1/8” long, with an orangish brown body and a dark brown plate located behind the mouth-parts and legs. Males are smaller about 1/16” long, with a reddish brown overall body. Deer ticks climb grass and shrubs to wait for a passing host, and move very laterally. They concentrate on such vegetation located in transitional areas such as where forest meets field, mowed lawn meets un-mowed fence line, a foot/ animal trail through high grass. Other habitat most likely to harbor Deer ticks is in den, nest, or nesting area of its host, such as that of skunks, raccoons, opossums, but especially the deer mouse.

AMERICAN DOG TICK:

 American Dog ticks are the primary tick responsible for the transmission of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and also the carrier of tularemia. Unfed females are about 3/16” long, engorged female are about 5/8” long, male is slightly smaller – about 1/8” long. Both adults are reddish brown in color with whitish to grayish markings often with silvery hue on the back. American Dog ticks are the most frequently encountered tick and are the most likely tick to be found on both pets and humans. These ticks are attracted by the scent of animals and are most numerous along roads, paths, and trails, and will travel from their questing locations into manicured areas.

LONE STAR TICK:

 Lone Star ticks are capable of transmitting Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (HME), Tularemia, and suspected of Lyme disease and possibly Rocky Mountain spotted fever.This tick is somewhat scarce in Connecticut, but can be found along the coastal communities in Connecticut. Lone Star ticks get their name from the single silvery spot located on the middle of the female’s back. Unfed females are about 1/8” long, engorged female are about 7/16” long, with reddish brown color, becoming slate gray when engorged. Male is slightly smaller, with reddish brown color with several inverted horseshoe-shaped whitish spots along rear margin. Lone Star ticks are very aggressive ticks and will actively travel from their questing locations into manicured areas. They are commonly found on a wide variety of animals, including humans.

BROWN DOG TICK:

 Brown Dog tick is not known for diseases, and is very specific to dogs and is rarely found on humans. This tick is a domestic species and is the only tick which will leave its host and infest the home. These ticks love to feed mainly on the ears, but can also be found on the head, neck, legs, chest, and belly. Unfed females are about 1/8” long, but enlarge up to about 1/2” long when engorged with blood.  She is reddish brown in color, with a small dark dorsal shield just behind her mouth-parts, when engorged, engorged parts of body change to gray-blue or olive color. Male is reddish brown with tiny pits scattered over the back, with a dark dorsal shield which covers the entire back. Brown Dog ticks do not do well outdoors in the woods; they prefer warm, dry conditions where dogs live. They are primarily found indoors in cracks and crevices of the home. It is believed that this tick is usually brought into homes by dogs which have picked them up while visiting infested structures such as veterinarians, groomers, kennels etc. Occasionally dogs will pick up Brown Dogs ticks while outside of the home in kennels or areas where they rest.