Ticks are arachnids (although commonly mistaken for insects) that feed on the blood of humans, pets, and wildlife. Ticks pose a threat to you and your pets because some of them carry harmful diseases. In this article, we’ll talk about four of the most common tick species that are found in New Orleans and how you can identify them! If you are experiencing a tick infestation in or around your New Orleans area property, contact Pied Piper Pest Control today to learn about how we can help!
Deer Ticks
The deer tick, also known as the blacklegged tick, gets its name from the fact that its preferred host is a white-tailed deer. These ticks have orangish-brown bodies with eight black legs. They are usually about 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch long with flat, oval bodies. Deer ticks are the only ticks in Louisiana that can transmit Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that causes chronic flu-like symptoms.
American Dog Ticks
American dog ticks get their name from the fact that their preferred hosts are domestic dogs. These ticks are typically 3/16th’s to 5/8th’s of an inch long, making them slightly larger than deer ticks. American dog ticks are brown with whitish-gray markings and oval-shaped, flat bodies. While American dog ticks prefer to feed on dogs, they occasionally latch onto humans and spread diseases like Tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Gulf Coast Ticks
Gulf coast ticks are found throughout the Southeastern United States, including Louisiana! These ticks have brown bodies with tan patterns on their backs, and reddish-brown legs. Gulf coast ticks are known to spread a wide range of diseases to humans, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tick paralysis, and Rickettsia.
Lone Star Ticks
Lone star ticks get their name from the whitish-silver star-shaped marks on their backs. These ticks can range in size from 1/8th of an inch to 7/16th’s of an inch depending on if they are engorged or not. Lone star ticks are aggressive feeders, and are therefore one of the most common ticks to bite humans.
Contact Pied Piper Pest Control!
Pied Piper Pest Control provides pest control services for ticks, fleas, and a wide range of other pests throughout the Greater New Orleans area! If you have any additional questions about ticks or believe that you may have an infestation in your New Orleans area home or building, contact Pied Piper Pest Control right away! Our team has years of experience dealing with these pests and will ensure that they won’t come back once they’re gone! Give us a call today at (504) 366-1333 or fill out the contact form on our website, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!