Appearance |
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Ticks vary in color by species. Adult ticks are 1/8- to 5/8-inch long if engorged with blood, nymphal (or immature) ticks are less than 1/16-inch. Common pest ticks include the American dog tick, deer tick, and lone star tick. |
Habitat |
Often found near wooded and highly vegetated areas. Some tick species require moisture to survive. |
Diet |
All females and males of most species feed on blood of mammals, birds and reptiles. Ticks require a blood meal at each stage of life in order to grow. |
Control |
Non-chemical tick control procedures should be implemented along with chemical control methods. Keeping grass and weeds cut short in tick infested areas increases tick desiccation during hot weather, discourages alternative hosts and lessens the amount of plant material which may need a pesticide application to kill ticks. Treatments may be necessary in areas of the yard where ticks are found.
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