While there are 15 species of ticks known to live in Illinois, the following 4 are the most common.

1. The American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variables)

American dog ticks are dark brown with an off-white dorsal shield pattern. This pattern on the females is shaped somewhat like a half moon facing their heads, while the males have more of a mottled pattern on their backs. American dog ticks are 5mm on average but can extend up to 15mm when engorged with a blood meal.

2. The Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguine)

Brown dog tick is found all throughout the United States and, unique to most other ticks, it has the ability to mature and live indoors. These ticks originate from tropical climates, making the harsh Illinois winters a death sentence for this species. However, due to their tendency to inhabit the indoors, they’ve managed to survive in a moderate population. Despite this, they are thankfully not known for carrying and transmitting human disease. 

3. The Deer Tick/Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes scapularis)

Female blacklegged ticks (unsurprisingly) have dark black legs that stand out against their bright red-orange bodies, while the males are a darker brown/black. These ticks are infamous for transmitting Lyme disease as well as other pathogens such as Human Babesiosis and Human Granulocytic. They tend to prefer areas of higher elevation and inhabit thick, bushy areas where they have a high likelihood of encountering potential hosts. Blacklegged nymphs (the adolescent stage of ticks) are active during the spring and early summer while adults tend to be more active in the spring and fall.

4. The Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum)

Lone star ticks are very prolific breeders and can deposit up to 5,000 eggs at a time. The females are also really easy to distinguish from other species of ticks due to the iconic white spot on their backs. They are generally larger than their male counterparts, but like the males, the rest of their bodies are reddish-brown with hints of yellow. Unfortunately, the Lone Star tick holds the record for most bites in the southcentral and southeastern United States. They are also known for carrying several different pathogens including Tularemia, Ehrlichiosis, Rickettsiosis, and even can cause Alpha-Gal Syndrome.

Unfortunately, ticks aren’t very picky eaters and will often target fluffy or fido for their next blood-meal. In the case that your little buddy does get stuck with one of these ectoparasites, you will want to remove it as soon as possible. Ticks can transmit diseases to pets just as they do to humans and, if a tick is left feeding undisturbed for long enough, your dog or cat may even be at risk of a condition called tick paralysis. In other serious cases, ticks can also pass a lethal infection to your furry friends called Cytauxzoonosis. Signs of this rapidly progressing and fatal infection include: high fever, loss of appetite, respiratory distress, jaundice, coma, and death. As such, it is incredibly important to monitor your pets for ticks whenever they may have come into contact with these dangerous pests, and take steps to remove them as soon as possible.

Scheduling routine Tick Control Treatments is the best way to protect yourself and your family from an onslaught of potentially dangerous bites from these arachnids. Our treatment includes elimination of ticks as well as warding off both mosquitos and fleas. Your exterminator will do a complete treatment of your yard to best safeguard your family and home from those pesky vectors of disease. Call us today for more information on how you can stay safe from these parasitic pests.