American Dog Ticks

Dermacentor variabilis and wood tick is what we commonly know as the American Dog Tick. This parasite is also known as a three host tick because it feeds off three different hosts during its life cycle.

Development of the Wood Tick

When an egg hatches, it becomes a larva which will then feed off small animals like a raccoon or rat. After it feeds, it leaves the host to molt. It will then turn into a nymph, which feeds off larger animals like a deer.

After feeding, it will once again leave its host to molt and then it becomes a mature tick. By the time it has matured, it will start to feed off large animals once again and usually, dogs are the main prey. After feeding, it leaves the host and the female lays eggs and then the whole process starts again.

The male wood tick will not feed off the host once it has become an adult tick but will instead mate with the female while she is feeding off her host.

Appearance of an American Dog Tick

These ticks are the largest among eastern wood ticks and have a reddish-brown color. They generally have yellow or light brownish-white marks on their bodies. The male adult tick is approximately 1/8 of an inch in length and the female is just a bit bigger.

After feeding, the adult female tick will increase in size, about half-an inch more.

Eradicating the Ticks

When eliminating these ticks, you should undertake both a non-chemical approach as well as a chemical approach. What this means is that you should use natural means to eliminate them together with tick control products to ensure that they will be completely eradicated.

First, keep your lawn or your yard clean, with the weeds and the grass cut short. After this, spray pesticides or tick control products on your plants and even the grass to kill off the ticks. Ensure that the products are safe for your plants.

Also make sure that your entire yard is free from clutter to discourage rats or rodents from staying on your property. These small animals as mentioned earlier, are the preys of wood tick larvae.

As you clean the exteriors of your home, you should also do the same with the interiors of your house. After thoroughly cleaning the area, you may then proceed to apply or spray tick control products.

For the ticks on your dog, you should first of all, give your dog a bath. During this time, you will see the ticks attached to your dog. You may proceed to take them out one by one but be careful not to crush them as you could get an allergic reaction. Also make sure that your hands are properly protected by using gloves.

After bathing, use a tick collar to kill the ticks and prevent further infestation.