Deer Tick
Ixodes scapularis
Quick ID Markers
Habits & Biology
Quests (waits) on tall grass and shrubs with front legs extended. Cannot jump — requires direct contact. Three life stages: larva, nymph, adult.
Typical Hiding Areas
Wooded areas, tall grass edges, leaf piles, stone walls. Found on deer, mice, dogs, humans.
Signs of Activity
🗓️ Seasonality
Most active in spring and early summer (nymphs) and fall (adults).
⚠️ Mistaken Identity
🧪 Treatment Plan
Tick management is property-wide. Reduce tick habitat, treat lawn and vegetation, and protect people and pets year-round.
If you've had a confirmed tick bite, consult a doctor. For property-wide tick pressure, a professional quarterly spray program is very effective.
After any outdoor activity, do a full-body tick check. Remove attached ticks immediately with fine-tipped tweezers — grab as close to skin as possible and pull straight out.
Prevention After Treatment
- •Wear long sleeves and pants in wooded areas
- •Use DEET or permethrin-treated clothing
- •Mow lawn regularly
- •Quarterly yard spray treatment