Common Types Of Ticks In NM & TX; How To Keep Them Away

Common Types of Ticks

The most common types of ticks in New Mexico include blacklegged ticks (deer ticks), brown dog ticks, and lone star ticks.

Did you know?

Ticks are not insects but are actually classified as arachnids. They are relatives of spiders, scorpions, and mites.

Ticks have four life stages and require a host to feed on for all but the egg stage.

Ticks are not born infected with disease agents; they acquire them when feeding on other animals.

What do ticks look like?

Blacklegged ticks (AKA deer ticks): Adult blacklegged ticks, when unengorged (not filled with blood), have small, flat bodies typically less than 1/8 of an inch in length. As they are arachnids and relatives of spiders, they have eight legs. They are dark reddish brown in color but will grow darker after feeding on a host.
Brown dog ticks: Adult brown dog ticks also have flat, oval-shaped bodies about 1/8 of an inch in length and eight legs. They are reddish brown in color but become gray-blue when engorged. Male brown dog ticks have tiny pits on their backs.
Lone star ticks: Adult Lone star ticks have flattened oval-shaped bodies. They are reddish brown in color but become slate gray when engorged. While female Lone star ticks are anywhere from 1/6 to ¼ of an inch in length, males are smaller.

Where are you likely to encounter ticks?

Deer ticks prefer to hide in grass and shrubs and are often found in transitional areas where the forest meets field or manicured lawn meets untended fence line or tall grass.

Brown dog ticks will position themselves on shrubs, grass, and other vegetation where they’ll wait for a host animal to pass by. When attached to a dog, they are usually found on the ears and between the toes.

Lone star ticks are often found in shady areas as they are not able to survive long exposure to the sun. They prefer to wait for hosts on low-growing vegetation and transitional areas where woods meet lawns.

Are ticks dangerous?

Blacklegged ticks are the main transmitters of Lyme disease which, if left untreated, can cause serious problems with joints, the heart, and the nervous system. This tick species also transmits other serious tick-borne illnesses.

Brown dog ticks can spread several tickborne diseases to dogs and they can also serve as vectors for Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Lone star ticks are vectors for tularemia and other dangerous diseases.

Why do I have a tick problem?

If you have tall grasses, plenty of vegetation, fence lines, or your property transitions to woods, there’s a good chance ticks will show up. It’s also possible that passing wildlife will drop ticks onto your property.

How do you get rid of ticks?

At Polaris Pest Control, we provide professional tick control in Texas & New Mexico that includes interior service and exterior treatments that include fogging grass, bushes, tall brush, and other areas where ticks are typically a problem. For more information about our tick solutions, please contact us today!

We’re Ready To Solve Your Pest Problem

At Polaris Pest Control, we understand that pest problems can be stressful, but the solution shouldn’t be. Since 2009, our primary focus has been on helping New Mexico and Texas property owners get rid of ants, spiders, mosquitoes, and mice, as well as other insects and rodents that try to take over. When you contact us for help, you can count on our team of pest control specialists to solve your pest problem, no matter how severe!

Ticks