3 Types of Ticks Common in Mansfield, OH

Ticks are a common nuisance in Mansfield, OH, with three prevalent species: black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, and lone star ticks. Black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks, are notorious for transmitting Lyme disease. American dog ticks are larger and can carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Lone star ticks are distinguished by a white spot on their backs and can cause alpha-gal syndrome, an allergic reaction to red meat. Understanding these tick species and their potential health risks is crucial for property owners to protect themselves and their pets from tick-borne illnesses.

1. Black-Legged/Deer Ticks

Black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks, are a prevalent species in Mansfield, OH. These small arachnids are notorious for their role in transmitting Lyme disease, a serious illness that can affect humans and pets. Black-legged ticks are typically found in wooded areas, grassy fields, and shrubs, where they wait for a host to pass by.

These ticks have a distinctive appearance, with a reddish-brown body and black legs. They are most active during the warmer months, particularly in late spring and early summer. It's crucial to be vigilant when spending time outdoors, especially in areas where black-legged ticks are prevalent. Wearing protective clothing, using insect repellent, and conducting thorough tick checks after outdoor activities can help reduce the risk of tick bites and the potential transmission of Lyme disease.

2. American Dog Ticks

American dog ticks are another common tick species found in Mansfield, OH. These ticks are larger than black-legged ticks and have a distinctive appearance, with a brown body and white or gray markings on their back. American dog ticks are often found in grassy areas, along roadsides, and in fields.

Unlike black-legged ticks, American dog ticks are known for their preference for larger hosts, such as dogs and humans. They are most active during the warmer months, particularly in late spring and early summer. American dog ticks are known to transmit diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.

When spending time outdoors, it's important to take precautions to avoid tick bites. Wearing long sleeves and pants, using insect repellent, and conducting thorough tick checks after outdoor activities can help reduce the risk of tick bites and the potential transmission of tick-borne diseases.

3. Lone Star Ticks

Lone star ticks are a tick species that is becoming increasingly common in Mansfield, OH. These ticks are easily identifiable by the distinctive white spot on the back of female ticks. Lone star ticks are often found in wooded areas with dense vegetation. Additionally, they're known for their aggressive behavior, actively seeking out passing hosts, including humans. These ticks transmit diseases such as ehrlichiosis and tularemia, though they're most notably known for causing alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy.

When spending time outdoors, it's important to take precautions to avoid tick bites. Minimizing skin exposure, wearing insect repellents, and performing frequent body checks are some of the ways to reduce the risk of tick bites.

Call us today to sign up for our tick control service!

At Free Spray Lawn Care, we offer a tick control service to safeguard your property from ticks. We use highly effective products to eliminate common types, like black-legged, American dog, and lone star ticks, which we apply routinely from April until October to provide overlapping protection. This service is available to residential and commercial property owners in Mansfield, Wooster, Strongsville, and nearby areas in Ohio. Don't let ticks take over your outdoor space—call us today at 419-529-5296 to sign up for our tick control service and enjoy a tick-free environment!