Lone Star Tick
The lone star or speck-back tick, Amblyomma ammericanum, is found in all areas of northern Texas except the High Plains region. The tick is present year-round but is more common from March to August. Lone star ticks live in wooded and brushy areas. Hosts include livestock, dogs, deer, birds and people. The ticks are shades of brown and tan. The female has one white spot on its back and the male has scattered white spots. A bite from a lone star tick can result in Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia and possibly Q fever, according to ticktexas.org.
Brown Dog Tick
The brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, is located in all areas of northern Texas. Hosts include dogs, but the ticks may feed on humans as well. The adult ticks are reddish-brown and are 1/8 to less than 1/4 of an inch before engorging. After engorgement, they turn a bluish color. According to ticktexas.org, although the brown dog tick transmits Marseilles fever in the Mediterranean areas, there are no known diseases from those in the United States.
Deer Tick
Also known as the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis is in all northern Texas regions except the Rolling Plains region and High Plains region, according to ticktexas.org. Commonly found in the fall and winter, they feed predominately on dogs, deer and other large mammals but also use humans and birds as hosts. Deer ticks look like brown dog ticks but have longer mouths and are much smaller until engorged. They can transmit Lyme disease, babesiosis and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis.
American Dog Tick
The American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, is in all northern Texas regions. According to North Carolina State University, the smell of mammals attracts them to recreational areas or trails where they can find hosts. They are present year-round but are most common in the spring. This tick feeds on many hosts, including humans, but it prefers dogs. American dog ticks are a chestnut brown color with white or yellowish spots or streaks. They are about 1/8 of an inch long before engorgement. Once fed, they turn a gray color and may be up to 1/2 inch long. They can transmit cytauxzoonosis to animals and Rocky Mountain spotted fever to humans and animals.
Winter Tick
The winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus, is found in northern Texas. It does not transmit disease but can cause anemia or death due to blood loss. Other ticks may move into the region from other areas.
Tick Control
Chemicals such as permethrin and DEET-based repellents may help control ticks. Check your animals and yourself routinely for ticks to decrease transmission of disease.