American Dog Ticks
The American dog tick is a hard tick belonging to the Family Ixodidae. The American dog tick is also known as the wood tick and is common wherever domestic animals or livestock dwell. They also thrive in locations where plants, bushes and grasses are accessible to humans.
Before the female becomes engorged, male and female American dog ticks look similar. They measure approximately 3/16-inch in length and feature distinct, yellow markings on their bodies. However, following a feeding, males grow only moderately in size and females may grow to 1/2-inch in length.
Adult females detach themselves from their hosts in order to locate suitable locations for egg laying. Inside, engorged female ticks are often found in potted plants. They are also common beneath fallen leaves in gardens. One female American dog tick is capable of laying 5,000 eggs in a single batch.
After larvae emerge from eggs, they go in search of small hosts, such as mice. They also feed until they become engorged and then drop to the ground to develop into nymphs. In ideal temperatures and climates, American dog ticks may develop fully within three months. However, in less ideal environments, their development may span up to two years.