Deer Ticks

The deer tick is found in grassy areas, open fields, and especially the margin where fields meet wooded areas. They transmit a bacteria which causes Lyme disease, a serious human disease that exhibits symptoms common to many other diseases. Pest control eliminates the threat. Deer ticks are mainly associated with the Northeast, but also live throughout central and eastern United States.

Size	1/8 - 1/4 in.
Color	Reddish brown
Body Structure	Flat body with eight legs.
Characteristics	Female adults when fully gorged with host blood may produce as many as 500,000 eggs, laying them in secluded cracks and crevices. The female coats the eggs in a secretion to keep them from drying out, and then dies after completing this process, which may take as long as 15 days. When the eggs hatch, the larva go in search of food, gorging themselves on a host until molting, upon which they enter the nymph stage. Here again, nymphs will seek a new host, gorging themselves on blood until molting and emerging as an adult.
Habitat & Behavior	In the wild, these ticks can be found residing on tall grasses or vegetation, where they wait to attach themselves to a passing mammalian host. Initially infestation may go undetected. Like its counterparts, this tick is also a vector pest, capable of transmitting disease, including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease.
Commonly Active	Spring / Summer / Fall
Prevention & Treatment	Checking pets and their sleeping areas for ticks is a good preventative measure. Likewise, if spending time outdoors, spraying your clothes and shoes with a pest repellent containing DEET will help protect you from the parasites. If you suspect an infestation in your home, refrain from do-it-yourself treatments. Contact a pest control professional to inspect your home and implement a proper course of treatment.