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Brown dog ticks in Arizona: spider-like parasites

The brown dog tick - one of the most cruel and unusual pests in Arizona. It’s not as visually threatening as the scorpion or as creepy as the tarantula, but the brown dog tick poses a serious threat to both people and dogs across the greater Phoenix area. It belongs to the spider family and moves around so stealthily that it’s hardly noticed on your skin until it’s too late. Before you know it, this tick has sunken its teeth into you and filled up on your blood. Luckily, you can trust Western Exterminator to keep your home pest free.

If you're concerned you might have a brown dog tick problem, contact Western Exterminator online or call 888-444-6138 to start working toward a resolution.

What do they look like?

brown dog tick

These ticks have a reddish-brown appearance and grow to about 1/8 of an inch in length. But, they’re hard to distinguish because they have no special markings that make them stand out from other species. While females grow slightly larger than the males, both look almost identical in color.

How long do they live?

Depending on the conditions, adult brown dog ticks can live for months or even years. In fact, they can go for several months without feeding at all. However, males must feed on blood before mating. Unlike other tick species, they can live their whole lives indoors. Though you can find them in the thick grass around your home, they prefer to cling to one host and to make their way to the safety inside.

What do they eat?

Ticks gorge on blood to a point where they swell up like a balloon. Once they’ve had their fill, they release their bite and settle into a dog’s fur while digesting. Humans will usually find a tick on their bodies before they reach this point. However, it’s possible for a tick to cling to a human while hiking, to fill up on blood and then to drop off without ever being caught.

brown dog tick

What diseases do they transmit?

Though many ticks are known to transmit Lyme disease, the brown dog tick is responsible for spreading Rocky Mountain spotted fever to humans. It usually produces symptoms such as a rash, fever, headaches, and vomiting. If left untreated, this disease can be fatal. Brown dog ticks also transmit babesiosis to dogs, a severe infection that may lead to anemia and kidney failure.

What’s the best pest control for ticks?

Because ticks thrive in the Arizona climate, it’s best to remove their resting areas. Keep the grass mowed and remove thick weeds from your property. Western Exterminator can help identify possible tick sites in your yard and treat the area for future prevention. Having a routine pest control professional visit, inspect, and treat your property can help eradicate infestations and prevent tick-borne diseases in you and your pets. Think you've got a tick issue on your hands? Get in touch with Western Exterminator to eliminate these pests today.

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