Black Legged (Deer) Tick Facts & Information

The most common sign of a blacklegged tick problem is spotting one in your yard, on your body, or on your pet or child. Blacklegged ticks prefer to hide in grass and shrubs while waiting for a passing host, so be sure to keep your yard well maintained and mowed. They prefer vegetation located in transitional areas such as where forest meets field, mowed lawn meets unmowed fence line, or a foot trail through high grass or forest as these areas are where most animals travel sometime during each 24-hour period.

The other habitat most likely to harbor blacklegged ticks is the den, nest, or nesting area of its host such as that of skunks, raccoons, opossums, but especially the white-footed mouse. The white-footed mouse prefers woody or brushy areas. It nests in any place that gives shelter such as below ground, in stumps, logs, old bird or squirrel nests, woodpiles, buildings, etc. These mice can bring ticks in with them if they enter your home.

Black-legged ticks, more commonly known as deer ticks, are the only known vector for Lyme disease. The blacklegged (deer) tick is a notorious biting arachnid named for its dark legs. Blacklegged ticks are sometimes called deer ticks because their preferred adult host is the white-tailed deer. Deer ticks are found primarily in the northeastern, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. This tick is of medical importance because in addition to its ability to transmit Lyme disease, it can also transmit anaplasmosis, human babesiosis, Powassan encephalitis, and more. The deer tick nymphs will latch onto people, dogs, birds, and larger wild mammals like raccoons, opossums, squirrels, and skunks. While they may seem more prominent from April to August, every life stage of a tick is able to survive through the winter months. That makes it all the more important to have tick removal services done to provide tick control around your home or business.

In order to avoid being bitten by a deer tick, apply an insect repellent containing an EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Also, consider wearing long sleeved shirts and pants, preferably light colored so ticks will be easy to detect, and tuck your pants into your socks. This may not be a practical solution during the hot and humid Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island summers, though! The best thing you can do is inspect clothing and skin on pets and all people after being outside. Immediately wash any clothes worn outside.

If you have a bite from a deer tick or find one on you, use 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 mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. Once the tick is removed, thoroughly clean the bite site with soap and water. Save the tick in a plastic bag and bring it to the doctor with you. Be sure to see a doctor as soon as you so you can start treatments for Lyme disease if needed.

We’re passionate about controlling ticks around your home because we live and work here – it’s our neighborhood, too. With our 130 years of experience keeping homes and businesses in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island safe from pests, Waltham has the experience you can trust.