Ticks are small arachnids that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and reptiles. They are external parasites that live in fields and wooded areas waiting for a host to brush up against vegetation so they can attach themselves. Once attached, ticks embed their mouths into the skin and feed on blood for several days before dropping off. Ticks go through four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Both immature ticks and adult ticks can transmit disease pathogens through their bite.
What attracts ticks?
Ticks locate hosts by detecting animals’ breath and body odors, body heat, moisture, and vibrations. They are unable to fly or jump, but climb vegetation and wait for a potential host to pass by. When this happens, they grasp onto the skin of the animal and find an area to bite. The following factors attract ticks to hosts:
- Carbon dioxide – Ticks detect the carbon dioxide mammals exhale when breathing. They are drawn to the carbon dioxide and will climb taller vegetation to get closer to a host.
- Body heat – Ticks sense body heat through infrared radiation. Warm-blooded animals emit heat and ticks can detect slight changes in temperature to locate hosts.
- Vibrations – Ticks sense vibrations through organs called Haller’s organs. As an animal walks through vegetation, ticks can detect the vibrations.
- Sweat – Ticks use chemoreceptors to detect butyric acid and other substances in sweat.
- Ammonia – Ticks detect the ammonia in urine, sweat, and animal breath.
In essence, ticks use a combination of factors like carbon dioxide, heat, vibrations, sweat, and ammonia to identify that a potential host is nearby. They then wait on the edge of vegetation to latch onto the skin and start feeding.
Which hosts do ticks prefer?
Different tick species have preferences for certain hosts, but in general they feed on mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Some of the animals ticks are most attracted to include:
- Deer – Deer are the preferred host for adult blacklegged ticks, Lone star ticks, and American dog ticks. These tick species wait on vegetation for deer to brush by.
- Mice and other rodents – Immature blacklegged ticks and nymphal western blacklegged ticks feed heavily on mice. Mice are reservoirs for Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and other tick-borne diseases.
- Lizards – Western blacklegged tick larvae and nymphs prefer feeding on lizards like skinks and western fence lizards.
- Small mammals – Shrews, chipmunks, squirrels, and rabbits attract a number of tick species including American dog ticks, Lone star ticks, and others.
- Birds – Ground feeding and nesting birds like robins and sparrows are common hosts for immature blacklegged ticks and American dog ticks.
- Dogs – Dogs are very attractive to brown dog ticks and American dog ticks, which can transmit diseases to dogs and humans.
- Cattle – Cattle attract Gulf Coast ticks, cattle ticks, and other species that plague cattle herds.
- Humans – Unfortunately humans are attractive hosts to many tick species when we venture into tick habitat.
Ticks undergo what is called a “three host feeding cycle.” They feed on different hosts during each life stage to obtain a blood meal, mate, and advance to the next stage. Some ticks like deer ticks need a new host like a mouse, deer, dog, or human during each stage. Others like cattle ticks stay on the same bovine host their whole life cycle. But in general, ticks look for the most common large mammals and birds in their environment.
When are ticks most active?
Ticks quest for hosts during seasonal activity peaks that are influenced by geographic location and weather conditions. Below are peak activity times for common U.S. tick species:
- Blacklegged ticks – Nymphs are active March through July and adults October through November in the Upper Midwest and Northeast. Further south their activity extends from March through September.
- Lone star ticks – Active March through September with peaks in May and July in the Southeast, Southcentral, and Eastern states.
- American dog ticks – Active March through August with peaks in May and June throughout their range in the Eastern half of the U.S.
- Brown dog ticks – Can be active year-round in temperate climates. Peak activity is summer to early fall (June-September).
- Gulf Coast ticks – Active year-round across the Gulf Coast states with peaks from spring through fall.
- Rocky Mountain wood ticks – Active from March through July during snow-free periods in the Northwest.
Ticks thrive when the weather is above 45°F and the humidity is above 85%. They are less active during hot, dry weather or extended cold and snow cover. In warmer regions, tick activity fluctuates less compared to areas with true winter weather. Overall, ticks seek hosts more during seasonal activity peaks ideal for each species.
Where are ticks found?
Ticks reside in moist, humid environments in areas with vegetation cover. They are most abundant in forested areas, prairies, overgrown fields, marshes, and yards with lots of trees, shrubs, tall grasses, and leaf litter. Below are common habitats for active ticks hunting for hosts:
- Wood margins and trails
- Tall grasses and brush
- Overgrown fields
- Forests, woods, and timbered areas
- Marshlands
- Overgrown yards, gardens, and vegetation
- Near animal resting areas like a deer bed
When hosts move through infested habitats, ticks climb to the tips of vegetation, grass blades, brush, or shrubs and wait for contact. They detect animals through sensing carbon dioxide, heat, vibrations, and other factors. Then they latch onto clothing or exposed skin. Ticks reside close to the ground in moderate vegetation that allows access to hosts. Areas frequented by deer, mice, and other tick hosts tend to have more ticks due to higher populations of their preferred targets.
Which tick species are most common?
There are over 90 species of ticks across the United States. The most troublesome ticks that affect humans, pets, livestock, and wildlife include:
| Tick Species | Region | Key Hosts |
|---|---|---|
| Blacklegged tick | Northeast, Upper Midwest, West Coast | Mice, deer, humans, dogs, birds |
| Lone star tick | Southcentral and Southeast | Deer, humans, dogs |
| American dog tick | Eastern half of U.S. | Mice, dogs, humans, deer |
| Brown dog tick | Worldwide | Dogs, occasionally humans |
| Rocky Mountain wood tick | Northwest U.S. and Canada | Rodents, humans, dogs |
| Gulf Coast tick | Gulf Coast states | Livestock, deer, rodents |
These species transmit diseases that cause Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and other tick-borne illnesses. They bite humans, pets, livestock, and wildlife to feed on blood during their life stages. Managing ticks that interact with people and animals is important to reduce disease transmission.
What attracts ticks to different hosts?
While host cues like carbon dioxide, body heat, and sweat secretions attract ticks, certain hosts are more appealing than others. Below is what makes common hosts attractive to ticks:
Deer
– Large body size radiates heat and carbon dioxide over a greater area helping ticks locate them.
– Deer wander through tick-infested forests and fields.
– Their blood meal is substantial compared to small mammals.
– Deer lack grooming to remove ticks like smaller animals.
Mice
– Mice thrive in brushy areas teeming with nymphal ticks.
– Poor groomers that do not remove attached ticks.
– Abundant source of blood meals for immature ticks.
Lizards
– Cannot completely remove feeding ticks due to scales.
– Sunbathe on logs and rocks allowing ticks access.
– Frequent humid habitats where western blacklegged ticks reside.
Dogs
– Roam through tick habitats acquiring parasites.
– Limited self-grooming capability compared to wild animals.
– Spend more time in humid, overgrown yards than other pets.
– Their blood is appealing to dog ticks and some human-biting ticks.
Cattle
– Large animals that wander through pastures where ticks quest.
– Ticks drawn to carbon dioxide, hair, and hide secretions.
– Cattle dung attracts ticks seeking hosts.
– Little prevention against ticks due to lack of grooming.
Humans
– Visit tick habitats when hiking, camping, gardening, etc.
– Lack fur that makes ticks easier to attach.
– Appealing blood source for ticks to feed.
– Minimal awareness of tick prevention measures.
– Inability to sense ticks crawling and latching onto skin.
Ticks detect host cues like carbon dioxide, heat, and sweat. But different hosts frequent tick territories, display vulnerability to attachment, and offer substantial blood meals. These factors make certain hosts like deer, mice, dogs, and humans more likely targets for ticks.
Can ticks smell blood?
Ticks do not locate hosts by detecting blood or its iron content from a distance. Instead, they use the following techniques to identify hosts:
- Sensing carbon dioxide in breath
- Detecting ammonia in sweat and urine
- Locating body heat through infrared radiation
- Picking up vibrations and movement
- Identifying butyric acid in perspiration
However, once ticks attach to the skin, they can locate superficial blood vessels to start feeding. Ticks’ mouthparts contain heat and chemical receptors that detect blood compounds like hemoglobin below the skin’s surface. But blood itself does not attract ticks from vegetation before they bite. The carbon dioxide, heat, sweat, ammonia, and movement cues draw ticks to hosts instead.
Do ticks jump or fly?
Ticks cannot fly or jump. They must patiently wait in vegetation for a host to brush against them. Ticks then climb onto the host but they only crawl. Some tick behaviors may seem like jumping or flying such as:
- Questing – Ticks climb tall grass and shrubs to quest for hosts. Falling from this height may seem like jumping.
- Hair plucking – Some ticks like Lone star ticks attach to hair before the skin allowing hosts to carry them long distances.
- Vehicle transfer – Riding on pets or wildlife may bring ticks to new territory giving the appearance they flew there.
While ticks may suddenly appear on someone’s leg or seem to have hitched a ride for miles, they cannot truly jump or fly. Ticks use other sneakier methods to access hosts and travel significant distances from their original habitat.
How do ticks survive in winter?
Ticks endure winter’s freezing temperatures and snow by going dormant in protected sites. Behavioral adaptations that help ticks survive winter include:
- Burrowing into soil and leaf litter that insulates against cold.
- Hiding deep in cracks and voids under logs, bark, and stones.
- Congregating in aggregations that help conserve heat.
- Entering diapause, a dormant state where metabolism slows.
Some species like the blacklegged tick even exhibit supercooling by controlling bodily fluids to avoid freezing. Ticks also flourish during brief warm periods in winter when hosts are still active. While exact survival methods vary by species, ticks largely wait out winter in insulated refuges and resume activity during warm snaps.
Do mothballs, Vaseline, or other home remedies deter ticks?
A number of home remedies propose using chemicals, pet care products, oils, and barriers like Vaseline to repel ticks. However, there is no scientific evidence these DIY solutions effectively deter ticks from attaching to people or pets. Examples include:
- Mothballs
- Vaseline
- Vicks VapoRub
- Oils like lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, etc.
- Scented dryer sheets
- Garlic
- Vinegar
- Dial soap
These home remedies may offer limited flea and mosquito protection for pets, but research shows they do not repel ticks even with direct contact exposure in lab studies. Instead, effective tick repellents contain DEET or picaridin approved for human skin application. For pets, the most reliable products contain etofenprox, fipronil, fluvalinate, permethrin, pyriprole, or S-methoprene and are specifically designed and tested for safe tick defense.
Do natural tick sprays work?
Natural tick repellent sprays rely on plant oils like citronella, peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemon grass that may deter mosquitoes, but have limited usefulness against ticks. In lab studies, products with these ingredients provide:
- 5-60 minutes of repellency against certain tick species.
- No repellent effects against blacklegged ticks, Lone star ticks, and other vector species.
- Poor repellency once sweat was added to test evaluations.
The essential oils also evaporate quickly requiring frequent reapplication. While natural tick sprays have limited utility, stronger synthetic repellents like DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and metofluthrin do effectively repel ticks when applied correctly. Ultimately, natural tick sprays should not replace proven chemical repellents for adequate protection.
What scents, flavors, or colors attract ticks most?
Ticks are not attracted to certain colors, flavors, or pleasant scents. Instead, they use the following cues to identify hosts:
- Carbon dioxide in exhaled breath
- Ammonia in sweat and urine
- Infrared body heat signatures
- Vibrations from movement
- Moisture
While many myths suggest ticks target sweet scents, bright colors, or pleasant flavors, they do not actually see or smell these stimuli. Their chemosensory, thermal, and vibration receptors detect cues like carbon dioxide, ammonia, heat, and motion instead. So there is no evidence that artificial colors, pleasant scents, or favored flavors lure more ticks.
Do mosquito repellents repel ticks?
Certain mosquito repellents like DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus do effectively repel ticks when applied correctly. However, there are some caveats between repelling mosquitoes versus ticks:
- Higher concentrations like 20-30% DEET are required for adequate tick defense compared to mosquitoes.
- More frequent