Active in the spring, summer, and fall. Lives along woodland paths, recreational parks, farm pastures, wastelands, and other shrubby habitats in rural and suburban area. Adult ticks prefer humans and dogs as hosts. Can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but not Lyme disease. Found throughout the state, but is most common in the Piedmont area.
Brown dog tick
Active year round and especially in warmer climates. Mostly feeds on dogs; rarely attacks people. They may reach nearly one-quarter of an inch long, although engorged females can get as big as a half-inch. It can transmit diseases to humans, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, canine babesiosus and canine ehrlichiosis.
Lone star tick
Readily feeds on people and large wild or domestic animals, such as deer and dogs. Found in habitats similar to those of the American dog tick. Can transmit southern tick-associated rash infection, which creates a rash similar to that seen with Lyme disease. It also transmits bacteria that cause ehrlichiosis. Found mainly in the coastal plain, but also in the Piedmont. Has also been tied to the "alpha-gal allergy," where the person develops an allergy to mammal meat, such as beef.
Black-legged tick/deer tick
Nymphs and adults attack small and larger mammals including dogs and deer. Adults are active in late fall, in early spring, and in winter when temperatures rise above freezing. Found in the same habitats and regions of the state as the lone star tick. Bites can cause Lyme disease.
