Brown dog ticks

Brown dog ticks are a common pest found in many parts of the United States, especially in warmer climates. Known scientifically as Rhipicephalus sanguineus, they’re one of the few tick species that can complete their entire life cycle indoors. These ticks can become a problem in homes, especially where dogs are present. Recognizing and addressing a tick infestation at an early stage can help protect your home and pets. Learn more about Western’s tick control services and how we can help.

Habitat

The brown dog tick habitat includes both indoor and outdoor spaces. Indoors, they’re often found in dog bedding, under furniture, in cracks, and around baseboards. Outdoors, they are often found in grassy areas, yards, and woodland. They are a particular risk in areas where dogs gather, like dog-grooming outlets, kennels, and dog parks. This species is highly adaptable and can easily live indoors or out, often moving with their hosts as dogs regularly move between inside and outside spaces.

Brown dog tick behaviors, threats, or dangers

Brown dog ticks wait on grass, leaves, or other vegetation for a host to pass (this is known as ‘questing’). They can detect a passing dog or other host by its carbon dioxide and body heat. The ticks can survive long periods without feeding, which allows them to wait for the right moment to attach.

Once attached to a host, ticks pierce the skin and feed on the host’s blood, dropping off after a few days once full. While they prefer dogs as hosts, they will also attach to other animals like cats, rabbits, and deer. Though they rarely bite humans, they can carry and transmit disease organisms.

For more information about ticks and the diseases they can carry, see our separate tick information page.

The brown dog tick life cycle

Females feed and then drop off the host dog to lay eggs, after which her life is deemed complete, and she dies. Usually she crawls upward to wall or ceiling crevices or cracks, laying her 1,000-3,000 tiny dark brown eggs, which look a lot like caviar. 

Eggs hatch after 9-60 days into tiny larvae with six legs, called "seed ticks". The seed ticks they crawl down the wall and attach themselves to a dog so they can feed, although they can last eight months without feeding. The larvae will engorge for three to six days and become blue-gray. 

After the meal, the seed ticks head off to find a spot to molt, and then repeat this process. By one to three weeks they are reddish-brown nymphs with eight legs. Then they feed for four to nine days, and turn dark gray. Once again they go off to molt, becoming adults in 12-19 days. Adult brown dog ticks immediately seek a host dog, but can survive up to 18 months if unable to find a host. 

Are brown dog ticks hard to get rid of?

Due to their ability to breed indoors and hide in tight spots, brown dog ticks can be hard to get rid of without proper treatment.

In order to successfully get rid of brown dog ticks, concentrate your efforts on areas your dog spends most of its time. Treatment should focus on dogs’ resting places, upholstered furnishings, cracks and crevices, under porches, and any possible crawl spaces the dog has access to. 

Thoroughly clean home and kennel areas before starting treatment, both indoors and outdoors. Also treat your dog on the same day as this pesticide application. As treatment is extensive and specific application equipment is necessary, it is highly recommended to use a professional exterminator. Inside treatment should focus on areas up to 4 feet and be concentrated around where your pet spends time. Exterior treatment should include walks, shrubbery and lawns. 

Continue to monitor your pet after treatment, especially if it goes into other areas that may possibly be infested. For your own protection, use repellent, wear light-colored clothing, and frequently inspect tick-infested habitats.