| Scientific name | Ixodes scapularis |
|---|---|
| Group | Ticks, Mites & Other Arachnids |
| Size | 1–5 mm (up to about 0.20 in) |
| Colors | Black, Red and Brown |
| Legs | 8 legs |
| Wings | No (as usually seen) |
| Where found | Woods or trails and Lawn or grass |
| Most active | Spring, Summer and Fall |
| Bites | Yes |
| Stings | No |
| Risk level | Health risk |
How to identify it
The blacklegged tick is a small member of the ticks, mites & other arachnids group. Eight legs as adults, no antennae and no wings. Check for these three features:
- Dark black legs and shield
- Adult females with an orange-red rear body
- Nymphs about the size of a poppy seed
About this bug
Also called the deer tick, a small tick with a dark shield and, in adult females, a reddish-orange rear body. It waits on grass and brush to latch onto passing people and animals.
You'll usually find blacklegged ticks in woods and along trails and in lawns and grass. They are most active in spring, summer and fall.
Is it dangerous?
Blacklegged ticks transmit Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis; remove attached ticks promptly.
Our rating: Health risk, meaning it can cause medically significant bites, stings or disease.
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.
When you'll see blacklegged ticks
Blacklegged Ticks are most active in spring, summer and fall. In spring, overwintering adults become active and many species lay their first eggs. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly. In fall, many bugs look for shelter, and some move toward or into buildings.
Typical places to check: woods or trails and lawn or grass.
About ticks, mites & other arachnids
The blacklegged 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.
What to do about it
- Use permethrin-treated clothing and DEET or picaridin on skin
- Do a full-body tick check after time outdoors
- Keep grass short and a wood-chip border between lawn and woods
Read the full guide: how to get rid of blacklegged ticks.
Bugs that look similar
Color: Blacklegged Ticks are black, red and brown; American dog ticks are brown, white and gray.
Color: Blacklegged Ticks are black, red and brown; lone star ticks are brown, red and white.
Frequently asked questions
What does a blacklegged tick look like?
Dark black legs and shield. Adults measure 1–5 mm (up to about 0.20 in).
Does the blacklegged tick bite or sting?
It can bite. It does not sting. Blacklegged ticks transmit Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis; remove attached ticks promptly.
Where do blacklegged ticks live?
Blacklegged Ticks live in woods and along trails and in lawns and grass.
When are blacklegged ticks most active?
Mostly in spring, summer and fall.