What types of ticks are in Massachusetts?

What types of ticks are in Massachusetts?

Deer ticks and dog ticks are found throughout Massachusetts; Lone Star ticks are also found in some places in Massachusetts.

• Black-legged Ticks.
• Dog Ticks.
• Lone Star Ticks.

Do Massachusetts ticks have Lyme disease?

Ticks are bugs that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, or reptiles. Black-legged (deer) ticks and dog ticks are found throughout Massachusetts and may spread different disease-causing germs when they bite you. The most common tick-borne diseases in Massachusetts are Lyme Disease, Babesiosis, and Anaplasmosis.

What is the difference between a dog tick and a deer tick?

The major difference between these two tick species is that the deer tick has black legs and is an overall darker, more black color; while the brown dog tick has light brown legs and a brown body. Deer ticks also tend to be half the size of brown dog ticks.

What is the difference between a wood tick and a dog tick?

“Wood tick” is actually a generic name that could apply to a number of species of ticks, Merchant says, but it’s most commonly used to describe American dog ticks, which have dark brown bodies. Male American dog ticks present a mottled gray pattern, while females have an off-white scutum.

What is the difference between a dog tick and regular tick?

Dog ticks are nearly double the size of deer ticks, so they may be easier to spot. Adult females are most likely to bite in the spring and summer. Dog ticks may carry diseases that can make you very sick, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.

How common is Lyme disease in ticks Massachusetts?

Cases of Lyme disease occur throughout Massachusetts. This is the most common tick transmitted disease in Massachusetts. Over the last decade, the number of cases has averaged over 3,000.

Which is worse dog tick or deer tick?

Deer ticks carry Lyme disease, but dog ticks can spread bacteria as well. Deer ticks are very small and dog ticks are just a bit bigger, so be vigilant when you search for them. Talk with a doctor if a tick bites you to treat potential illnesses quickly.

What’s a wood tick look like?

They are bright reddish-brown in color with grey or silver coloration on their bodies. They grow to about 3/16 of an inch long. Female wood ticks have a silver-colored spot behind their heads. If you notice an engorged wood tick, it’s probably female; they become bloated after feeding.

How long does tick need to be attached to transmit disease?

Ticks can attach to any part of the human body but are often found in hard-to-see areas such as the groin, armpits, and scalp. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted.

Is a wood tick a dog tick?

The wood tick (also called the American dog tick) is the most commonly encountered tick in the Upper Midwest, and is also common throughout the eastern and southern United States and some parts of the west coast.

What is tick season in Massachusetts?

Although tick activity is weather-dependent, there are two peaks during the year; the first begins in March/April and lasts through August, and the second occurs in October-November. The majority of cases of tick-borne disease occur in June through August.