Types of Ticks

Ticks are small arachnids that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. There are several types of ticks, each belonging to one of two main families: Ixodidae (hard ticks) and Argasidae (soft ticks). Here are some of the most common types of ticks:

Hard Ticks (Ixodidae)

1. Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes scapularis)
   • Also known as the deer tick.
   • Found primarily in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, southeastern, and north-central United States.
   • Known for transmitting Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus.
2. Western Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes pacificus)
   • Found along the Pacific coast of the United States, especially in California.
   • Also a vector for Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.
3. American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis)
   • Found in the eastern half of the United States and parts of the West Coast.
   • Known for transmitting Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.
4. Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni)
   • Found in the Rocky Mountain states and southwestern Canada.
   • Can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and Colorado tick fever.
5. Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)
   • Found worldwide and can thrive in homes and kennels.
   • Known for transmitting canine ehrlichiosis and canine babesiosis.
6. Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum)
   • Found in the southeastern and eastern United States.
   • Known for causing southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and meat allergy due to alpha-gal syndrome.
7. Gulf Coast Tick (Amblyomma maculatum)
   • Found in the southeastern United States and along the Gulf Coast.
   • Known for transmitting Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis and can cause tick paralysis.

Soft Ticks (Argasidae)

1. Relapsing Fever Tick (Ornithodoros hermsi)
   • Found in the western United States and Canada.
   • Known for transmitting tick-borne relapsing fever.
2. Fowl Tick (Argas persicus)
   • Primarily affects poultry and found worldwide.
   • Known to cause significant irritation and anemia in birds.
3. Spinose Ear Tick (Otobius megnini)
   • Found in the southwestern United States.
   • Primarily affects livestock and can cause irritation and secondary infections.

Ticks can vary greatly in appearance, behavior, and the diseases they transmit. Effective tick prevention and control are essential to minimize the risks associated with tick-borne illnesses.

Always try to cover up when being in the outdoors. At Camp Lakewood Campground, we ask to be safe and take caution when hiking or camping.