What Does a Lone Star Tick Look Like?
Lone star ticks are pesky creatures that target humans more than any other tick species. However, many New Jersey residents don’t know how to identify them.
What does a lone star tick look like? Nada Mosquito is here to teach you more about lone star ticks and how to protect yourself from these troublesome pests.
Nada Mosquito is your reliable tick control company in New Jersey. If you want to make lone star ticks a thing of the past while protecting your property from other pests, contact Nada Mosquito.
What Is a Lone Star Tick?
Lone star ticks are small, hard-bodied pests prevalent in the southern and eastern United States. They are most common in forested areas and carry several diseases and pathogens.
Although most people associate ticks with Lyme disease, lone star ticks don’t carry it. That said, some of the pathogens and diseases lone star ticks carry are very deadly. Below are some of the issues they spread:
- Tick-borne relapsing fever
- Ehrlichiosis
- Tularemia
- STARI (southern tick-associated rash illness)
- Heartland virus
- Alpha-gal syndrome
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Many of these diseases share similar symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish some of them from each other without tick lab testing. Always seek medical attention if you experience a tick bite.
How To Identify a Lone Star Tick
So, what does a lone star tick look like?
Lone star ticks have a distinctive physical appearance that makes identification relatively easy. They are small, reddish-brown ticks about 1/8th inch long. Adult female lone star ticks have a unique white spot on their backs, while males have numerous inverted horseshoe-like shapes along their backside.
Females are larger than males and can reach 7/16 of an inch when engorged. They also turn slate gray when fully engorged. Although lone star ticks don’t infest interior spaces, humans and pets can transport them inside if the tick attaches to them.
How To Prevent Lone Star Tick Infestations
Lone star ticks thrive in tall grass and overgrown vegetation. Keeping your lawn cut and well-manicured will diminish the chances of infestations. Remove any debris along your exterior and cut back any foliage along outdoor paths and walkways.
It’s important to note that lone star ticks are exceedingly difficult to control and can take refuge even in well-kept exteriors. Wearing long clothing, tick repellant, and a hat will help prevent tick bites when working or exploring tick-infested areas.
If lone star ticks overtake your property, contact Nada Mosquito for swift and effective pest control services.
Contact Nada Mosquito for Top-Quality Tick Control Services in New Jersey
If you believe your New Jersey property has a tick infestation and you wonder, “What does a lone star tick look like?” contact Nada Mosquito. Our pest control experts will explain the ticks most commonly found in New Jersey while eradicating any from your residential or commercial property.
Give Nada Mosquito a call at (732) 743-7129 and schedule your appointment today! We’re ready to help.