What Is the American Dog Tick?
The American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) is one of the most commonly encountered ticks in North Carolina. Adults are brown with white or gray markings on their backs and can grow to about 5 mm unfed, swelling significantly after a blood meal.
Habitat & Behavior
These ticks are most active from April through August and are typically found in tall grass, brush, and along wooded trails. Despite their name, they feed on a variety of hosts including humans, dogs, and other mammals.
American dog ticks are the primary carriers of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the eastern United States, a potentially fatal disease if left untreated. They can also transmit tularemia and cause tick paralysis through a neurotoxin in their saliva.
Prevention & Control
To protect yourself and your pets, perform tick checks after spending time outdoors. Use EPA-registered repellents, wear long sleeves and pants in tick-prone areas, and keep grass mowed short around your home. If you find an attached tick, remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers.