How to Get Rid of American Dog Ticks
A brown tick with ornate white-gray markings on its shield, common along trails, roadsides and grassy fields. It readily feeds on dogs and people. If you are seeing them in lawns and grass and in woods and along trails, the steps below will help you clear them out and keep them from coming back.
Quick answer
- Treat dogs with a veterinarian-recommended tick preventive
- Stay in the center of trails and avoid tall grass
- Check pets and people daily during spring and summer
American dog ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.
Confirm you have American dog ticks
Correct identification matters, because the right fix for American dog ticks differs from the fix for their lookalikes. Adults measure 3–5 mm (up to about 0.20 in) and are usually brown, white and gray. Look for these features:
- Brown body with silvery-white mottling on the shield
- Larger than a blacklegged tick
- Engorged females turn slate gray and swell up to 15 mm
They are most often confused with blacklegged tick and lone star tick. See the full American dog tick profile for side-by-side details.
Why you have American dog ticks
American Dog Ticks live outdoors and find people by sensing carbon dioxide, body heat and movement. Tall grass, brush, standing water and shady, humid areas support large populations. Pets and wildlife can carry them close to the house. They are most active in spring and summer, so expect to see more of them then.
When you'll see American dog ticks
American Dog Ticks are most active in spring and summer. In spring, overwintering adults become active and many species lay their first eggs. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly.
Typical places to check: lawn or grass, woods or trails and on pets.
Step-by-step: getting rid of American dog ticks
Step 1: Treat dogs with a veterinarian-recommended tick preventive
Treat dogs with a veterinarian-recommended tick preventive. Combine this with the other steps rather than relying on it alone.
Step 2: Stay in the center of trails
Stay in the center of trails and avoid tall grass. Combine this with the other steps rather than relying on it alone.
Step 3: Check pets
Check pets and people daily during spring and summer. Combine this with the other steps rather than relying on it alone.
Natural and low-toxicity options
These methods work well alongside the steps above and keep chemical use to a minimum:
- Use an EPA-registered repellent on exposed skin, following the label.
- Treat clothing and gear with permethrin where appropriate.
- Wear long sleeves and pants tucked into socks in high-risk areas.
- Shower soon after coming indoors.
If you do use a pesticide, choose one labeled for this pest and the place you're treating, and follow the label exactly. The label is the law.
When to call a professional
Consider a professional yard treatment if bites are frequent despite personal protection, but personal precautions remain the most reliable defense against American dog ticks.
How to keep American dog ticks from coming back
- Mow grass regularly and clear brush at the edge of the yard.
- Remove standing water every week.
- Keep play areas and patios away from wooded borders.
- Protect pets with veterinarian-recommended products.
Safety notes
American dog ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.
Call 911 right away if someone has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness or a racing heartbeat after a bite or sting.
About ticks, mites & other arachnids
The American dog tick is one of the ticks, mites & other arachnids. This group includes ticks, mites, scorpions and harvestmen. Like spiders, adults have eight legs and no antennae, though larval ticks and chiggers have only six. Ticks and some mites feed on blood or skin, while scorpions hunt insects and harvestmen scavenge.
Ticks move through larva, nymph and adult stages, and each stage needs a blood meal. Nymphs are tiny and active in late spring and summer, which is when many tick-borne infections happen.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to get rid of American dog ticks?
Treat dogs with a veterinarian-recommended tick preventive. Most people see a clear drop in activity within one to three weeks when they combine this with sealing entry points and removing whatever attracts them.
Are American dog ticks dangerous?
American dog ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.
When are American dog ticks most active?
American Dog Ticks are most active in spring and summer.
What do American dog ticks look like?
Brown body with silvery-white mottling on the shield. Adults measure 3–5 mm (up to about 0.20 in).