Let’s talk about ticks in Pennsylvania
Ticks begin to appear when the temperature reaches about 45 degrees, meaning tick season here in Pennsylvania is typically from April to September. With over 20 species of ticks in Pennsylvania it is important to know some of the most common ticks in the area and the potential diseases they carry.
Learn more about some of the ticks found in our area below:
American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis)
The American Dog Tick, also sometimes known as a Wood Tick, is one of the most common ticks found in Pennsylvania. Adult American Dog Ticks are mainly found on dogs, which is how the tick received its name. These ticks are mainly found in dense leaf and tall grass areas. Spring and summer seasons are the time of year which one is most at risk of being bitten and of all the stages of this tick, adult females are the one most likely to bite humans. The American Dog Tick is a known transmitter of Tularemia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes scapularis)
The Blacklegged tick, also known as the Deer Tick, is mainly found in wooded, brushy areas. This tick is usually around any time of the year when the temperature is above freezing, meaning that spring, summer and fall is when one is at the highest risk of being bit. Adult female Black-Legged Ticks and nymphs are the stages which are most likely to bite humans. They are also known transmitters of various diseases such as; Lyme Disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis and Powassan disease.
Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)
The Brown Dog Tick’s primary host are dogs, which is how it received its name, but they are also known to bite humans. One is at the highest risk of being bitten by a Brown Dog Tick during early spring all the way to late fall. They are known transmitters of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and tend to live around houses.
Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum)
This is known to be a more aggressive tick, which also transmits Ehrlichiosis, Heartland Virus, Tularemia and STARI. Frequently the adult females and nymphs are the ones to bite and transmit diseases. This tick is easily identifiable by the white dot, or “lone star,” that can be found on its back.
Asian Longhorned Tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis)
This tick originates from east and central Asia, in which it is known to transmit Bovine Theileriosis and Babesis, which cause infections to animals. They are also known to transmit other diseases, however the Asian Longhorned Ticks tested in the United States have not been found to carry any of these infections. These ticks tend to be found on deer and other wildlife. For more information on the Asian Longhorned Tick check out this article titled, “Asian Longhorned Tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis.”
Groundhog Tick (Ixodes cookei)
This tick is primarily found around Western and Northern PA and is known to be a transmitter of Powassan Virus. It is found less commonly than some of the other ticks because it tends to be found on groundhogs. However, this tick has been found on other animals and has been known to bite humans.
Apart from being able to identify frequently found local ticks, it is also important to know how to combat ticks and be able to identify the symptoms of the potential illnesses that ticks can transmit.
Mosquito Joe of West Chester PA offers Tick Control to give your family and pets an added layer of defense against ticks found in Pennsylvania. Call now or fill out a request form for a free quote.
