Is the American dog tick and the brown dog tick the same?
Posted by Mosquito Squad
December 20, 2023
These two ticks, though similar in name, are quite different.
The American dog tick, also known as the wood tick, which looks similar to the brown dog tick. There is a discerning feature in the American dog tick’s coloring, however. They are both brown in color, but the wood tick has a white shield-shaped area below its head, whereas the brown dog tick is all brown with no discernable color differential.
Color variances aside, differences in the American dog tick and brown dog tick are in their feeding habits. The American dog tick will feed on human blood. The brown dog tick does not feed on human blood as often as it does other mammals, such as dogs.
Do the American dog tick and brown dog tick spread diseases?
Typically found outside the home when walking in yards, neighboring parks, and hiking trails, American dog ticks and brown dog ticks are important vectors of some diseases.
American dog ticks are an important vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia, and they also cause tick paralysis.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) has thousands of cases reported each year in the United States. The typical indication of infection is fever, rash, and a history of a tick bite; other indications are malaise, severe headache, chills, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea. The rash typically begins on the fifth day, starting on the extremities and then spreading to the rest of the body.
As for tick paralysis, a neurotoxin produced in the tick’s ovaries causes this problem. It travels to the salivary glands and is then secreted by the tick into the host as it feeds. This usually occurs when the tick is attached in close proximity to the spine or base of the skull.
Tennessee ticks can be a detriment to yours and your pet’s health.
The fewer chances you have to encounter ticks in Tennessee, the better. That’s why Mosquito Squad of Nashville offers year-round tick control methods. With our comprehensive two-part tick control protection, we have been helping families control ticks with our barrier spray and tick tubes since 2005. This proven comprehensive tick control treatment involves strategically placing biodegradable tick tubes around your property to lure mice. We fill each tick tube with insecticide-soaked cotton that the mice then collect and use for bedding. The reason we go after mice is simple: When ticks attach to mice, they will be taken to their nest and poisoned by the cotton.
Trust Mosquito Squad of Nashville for your year-round tick control needs, throughout the year.