Color: Reddish brown, gray-blue when engorged
Legs: 8
Shape: Oval, flattened
Size: 1/8” (3 mm) unengorged; 1/2” (12 mm) engorged
Antennae: No
Region: Found throughout the U.S.
The brown dog tick is named for its color and because it is found on domestic dogs. Although it is unusual for a brown dog tick to bite humans, it will do so in the absence of a canine host.
Brown dog ticks prefer dogs as hosts. They typically attach to the ears or between the toes and do not travel very far after dropping off a host.
Brown dog ticks rarely attack humans, but they can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and several other tick-borne diseases to dogs including canine ehrlichiosis, canine babesia, and anaplasmosis.
This tick survives best indoors and prefers warm, dry conditions. Unlike many species, brown dog ticks are uniquely adapted to complete their entire life cycle indoors, which is why they can become a problem quickly.
The best way to prevent brown dog ticks is cleanliness. Keeping pet areas clean and free of debris can help locate engorged ticks looking to lay eggs and remove them from the house. Pet treatment is also an important prevention tool. Pets should be treated with flea and tick repellent as necessary.
If a tick is found on the body, use a tick removal tool or fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick as this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. Once the tick is removed, thoroughly clean the bite site with soap and water. Then, flush the tick down the toilet or wrap it in a tissue before disposing in a closed receptacle.
Brown dog ticks are known to carry several serious illnesses that they can transmit to dogs, including canine ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis. Brown dog ticks are also associated with Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a disease that can affect both dogs and humans, although human cases are less common.
If your dog has a tick, you can use a tick removal tool to safely remove the tick without leaving any of it behind. To prevent further issues, you’ll need to remove any tick eggs from your home environment. Wash linens and dog bedding on a high heat setting, and thoroughly vacuum your home, making sure to pay attention to floorboards, surfaces underneath furniture, and other areas where ticks may be able to hide eggs. For persistent or severe brown dog tick infestations, consider contacting a specialist pest control service.
Female brown dog ticks attach themselves to a host, usually a dog, to feed. During this process, they emit pheromones to attract a male mate. A male brown dog tick mates with the female on the host, and leaves the female to continue feeding. After the female dog tick has consumed enough blood to nourish her eggs, she will seek a dark or protected space to lay her eggs.