Trim back vegetation along paths, trails, and yard edges. Throw clothes in a hot dryer for 10 minutes before washing, to kill any lingering ticks that may be attached to clothing.įocus on areas frequently used by people. Shower when possible after being outdoors. Never use DEET under clothing or on pets. Use insect repellents (such as DEET) according to label directions. Use a lint roller brush to remove ticks from clothing. Periodically inspect clothing and your body before ticks become attached. Wear clothing/shoes treated with the tick repellent permethrin. It kills ticks on contact with the clothing.Īvoid sitting on logs, stumps, or the ground in brushy areas. Wear long pants, long sleeves, and close-toed shoes. This tick prefers to feed on wildlife and livestock, but it feeds on pets and humans as well. Day, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Asian longhorned tickĪsian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis), also known as the longhorned tick, cattle tick, East Asian tick, and the bush tick, is native to East Asian and was discovered in Maryland in 2018. It can transmit Rickettsia parkeri spotted fever.Īsian longhorned tick ( Haemaphysalis longicornis). This tick is found in grass prairies and coastal uplands. Photo: Jim Occi, BugPics, Gulf coast tick It has a triangle shaped scutum with white to light yellow dot on the peak. It can transmit human ehrlichiosis, tularemia, Southern tick-associated rash illness, and meat allergy. This tick is found mostly in woodlands with dense undergrowth and around animal resting areas. Photo: Gerald Holmes, California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, Lone star tick Brown dog ticks can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever, canine ehrlichiosis and canine babesiosis. This tick prefers to feed on dogs, and it is sometimes found in homes. Photo: Mat Pound, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Brown dog tick They have a round dark brown/blackish scutum.īrown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus).
This tick can also spread anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan disease. The preferred host is the white-footed mouse.
The larval and nymphal ticks are found throughout the summer and feed on small mammals such as mice, chipmunks, and voles. Adult ticks feed during the winter on white-tailed deer. Distribution relies greatly on that of its reproductive host, white-tailed deer. This tick is mostly found in deciduous forest and is the primary carrier of Lyme disease. Photo: Jim Occi, BugPics, Blacklegged tick or deer tick They are found in areas with little or no tree cover.īlacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis). Their scutum is oval in shape and has large whitish markings on it. It transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and tick paralysis. This tick commonly feeds on dogs and humans. Photo: Jim Occi, BugPics, American dog tick (wood tick) Ticks can be identified based on the shape, color, and pattern of the plate or scutum behind their head. (For photos, see Maryland Tick Identification Chart in Additional Resources below.)Īmerican dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis). There are six species of ticks found in Maryland and the majority of them are capable of transmitting diseases.
Lone star tick bites how to#
Here are key things to know about ticks in Maryland and how to protect yourself from bites. If a disease-infected tick bites you, it takes 24-48 hours to transmit the pathogen (if the tick remains attached). They acquire pathogens by feeding on infected wildlife such deer and mice. Ticks can carry serious diseases that affect humans and pets. Most ticks are not born carrying disease-causing pathogens. Ticks are not killed by freezing temperatures and are active on days when temperatures are above freezing. Ticks do not fly, jump, or fall from trees. When a host comes by, they grab on and quickly crawl on to the host. Ticks find their host by hanging on to leaves or grasses with their back legs and reaching out with their front legs. They have four life stages (egg, larva, nymph, adult) and they require three blood meals to complete their lifecycle. Although ticks appear like small insects, they are actually arachnids (like spiders and mites).