The difference between deer ticks and wood ticks comes down to size, appearance, and the health risks each one carries. Here's a closer look at both species.
Also known as the blacklegged tick, this species is one of the smallest ticks you're likely to encounter in your yard.
Often called the American dog tick, this species is bigger and easier to spot than its deer tick cousin.
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Apart from finding a tick on yourself, a family member, or a pet, you might also notice ticks clinging to tall grass or shrubs as you brush past. Pets that scratch more than usual after time outdoors could be picking up ticks in the yard. If you're seeing ticks regularly, it's worth having your property checked by our tick control experts.
Keep grass trimmed, clear leaf litter, and remove brush piles where ticks like to hide. Creating a barrier of wood chips or gravel between your lawn and wooded areas can also help reduce ticks wandering onto your property. Checking pets, clothing, and gear after being outdoors goes a long way, too.
For longer-term protection, our PestFree365 plans include tick coverage as part of year-round residential pest management.¹
Both species live outdoors in grassy or wooded areas and wait on vegetation until a host brushes past. They don't come from a single source. Rather, they're part of the local outdoor environment in many parts of the country.
Deer ticks are quite small, often compared to a sesame seed before feeding. Wood ticks are larger, closer to the size of a watermelon seed, which makes them somewhat easier to notice on skin or clothing.
Both species quest, meaning they wait on grass or leaves with legs outstretched until a host walks by. Wood ticks tend to be most active earlier in the year, while deer ticks can remain active into the cooler months.
Neither species is necessarily harder to treat, but deer ticks can be more difficult to spot due to their smaller size. A professional inspection can help identify which species is present and recommend the right approach.
Yes, both can pose health risks, though the specific concerns differ. Deer ticks are associated with Lyme disease, while wood ticks are more commonly linked to Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Our targeted treatments help reduce tick activity around your property.
¹Treatments and Covered Pests defined in your Plan. Limitations apply. See Plan for details.
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