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Difference Between Deer Ticks and Wood Ticks

American dog ticks and Rocky Mountain wood ticks are common tick species. These ticks are known to feed on the blood of animals such as raccoons, deer, dogs and cats. However, they will also feed on human hosts in order to get a blood meal.

Deer ticks are found in wooded areas and prefer to feed upon the blood of white-tailed deer. These ticks wait on leaves and grass blades lining paths frequented by their hosts of choice, and will attach themselves to any passing host they find. As a result, humans often become accidental hosts of deer ticks, as well.

Although it may appear difficult at first to distinguish between the two, deer ticks and wood ticks differ greatly in size: the mature deer tick measures approximately half the size of the wood tick. As such, wood ticks are found more easily on their hosts and are typically removed in a timely manner.

While the Rocky Mountain wood ticks are known transmitters of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, tick paralysis, and ehrlichiosis, they are not known as carriers of Lyme disease. Deer ticks are notorious for being the chief vector of Lyme disease in humans and animals.

Deer Ticks

Life Cycle of a Deer Tick

Female Deer Tick

Deer Tick Identification

Size of the Deer Tick

Deer Tick Bite

Deer Tick Removal

Deer Ticks and Lyme Disease in Animals

Where are Deer Ticks Located

Brown Deer Tick

Difference Between Deer Ticks and Western Black-legged Ticks