TICK IDENTIFICATION

(Ixodida)

Ticks are eight-legged relatives of the spider. The blacklegged tick (also known as the deer tick) is also commonly associated with Lyme disease.

What do ticks look like?

There are several types of ticks in South Carolina, including a group of wood ticks that are made up of deer ticks, lone star ticks, and American dog ticks. Brown dog ticks also cause problems for homeowners. Ticks are small eight-legged creatures, often not noticed until they take a blood meal and become engorged.

Quick tick facts

• Are closely related to spiders, mites, and scorpions
• Infected ticks can transmit serious disease to people as well as wild and domesticated animals
• Are often found in backyards as well as in tall grasses and areas with overgrowth
• Maybe introduced into homes on people, pets, and rodents that sneak in

Tick habits and behaviors

• Starting as nymphs, ticks have a blood meal at every stage of life. A blood meal is usually from wildlife, pets or humans.
• Ticks cannot jump or fly. Instead they rest on the tips of grasses and shrubs and drop onto a host as it passes by. Tall grasses and wooded areas off the beaten path are common places to find ticks.
• The brown dog tick prefers dogs and is often found where dogs are present.

Are ticks dangerous?

Ticks bite to take a blood meal. Unfortunately, tick bites can spread Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other diseases. Lyme is treatable in the early stages so it’s important to know the symptoms associated with the disease. They include a bulls-eye rash at the site where a tick was attached, fever, headache, and muscle or joint pain. For more information on Lyme disease, please visit the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control or the CDC’s web page on Lyme disease.

Does Aiken treat for ticks?

For help with tick control in Aiken, South Carolina, elsewhere in the midlands, and the Central Savannah River Area, contact Aiken Pest Control today. Our experienced pest professionals will evaluate your pest problem and recommend treatment to get rid of ticks that threaten your family and pets.

Additional Tick Articles

• Most Common Ticks In South Carolina
• Why Year-Round Tick Control Is The Best Defense For South Carolina Homeowners And Pets
• Dangers Ticks Pose To South Carolina Residents And Pets
• How South Carolina Homeowners Can Keep Ticks Out Of Their Yards
• A Complete Guide To Protecting You & Your Loved Ones From Ticks In Aiken
• Are Ticks In Aiken Dangerous?