The American Dog Tick is one of the most commonly encountered ticks in eastern North America, with a distinctive mottled cream-and-brown pattern on its scutum. It is a vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. Adults prefer dogs and large mammals as hosts, while immature stages feed on small rodents. It is active from spring through early summer.
Best time to see a American Dog Tick
The best time to see a American Dog Tick is April–June, when about 76% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 22,711 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a American Dog Tick? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent American Dog Tick sightings near you
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