Blacklegged ticks, more commonly known as deer ticks, are small arachnids with flat, oval-shaped bodies. Adult females are about 1/8 inch long and have reddish-brown bodies with darker black shield-like structures near their heads. Males are smaller and uniformly dark brown. Nymphs are even tinier, about the size of a poppy seed, and appear translucent to light brown. Their small size and coloration make them difficult to spot, especially in grassy or wooded areas.
Blacklegged ticks feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Their preferred hosts include deer, rodents, and pets like dogs and cats. They will also bite humans, especially when nymphs are active in warmer months. After feeding, ticks can remain attached for several days before dropping off to molt or lay eggs.
They can be. Deer ticks can transmit Lyme disease and other illnesses, including anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Lyme disease symptoms include fever, fatigue, joint pain, and a distinctive bull’s-eye rash. Anaplasmosis may cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle aches, while babesiosis can lead to fatigue, chills, and anemia due to red blood cell damage. Early detection and removal of ticks reduce the risk of infection, but it’s essential to seek medical advice if you’ve been bitten.
Blacklegged ticks are commonly found in wooded areas, grassy fields, and along hiking trails. They often hide in leaf litter, tall grasses, and shrubs, waiting for a host to pass by. In the Birmingham metro, they may also be present in suburban yards with dense vegetation or near wooded edges. These ticks are most active from spring through fall but can survive year-round in sheltered areas.
In the Birmingham metro, blacklegged ticks are most active throughout the warmer months, with peak activity in spring and early summer. Nymphs, which are most likely to transmit diseases, are active in late spring and summer. Adult ticks remain active during fall and may emerge on warm winter days.
Blacklegged ticks prefer outdoor environments but may be carried inside on pets or clothing. They cannot survive long indoors without access to moisture and a host, making regular vacuuming and laundering essential for prevention.
According to the CDC, you should use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward with steady pressure to avoid breaking off the mouthparts. After removal, clean the bite area with alcohol or soap and water.
The best way to prevent ticks from taking over your yard or entering your home on pets or family members is to sign up for pest control services that target these pests. At Acre, we offer seasonal mosquito and tick control that includes monthly service from March through October.
To prevent blacklegged ticks from infesting your property, keep your yard well-maintained by mowing grass regularly and trimming shrubs. Create barriers with gravel or mulch between wooded areas and your lawn.
If you’re dealing with blacklegged ticks in your yard or you want to prevent them from taking over your lawn and outdoor living space in Hoover, Mountain Brook, or elsewhere in the Birmingham metro, contact Acre Pest Control today!
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