36 to 57 days The unfed larvae crawl in search of
a host and can live 540 days without food. When a
small rodent is found, the larvae attach and feed
for approximately five days. The larvae then drop
off the host and molt to the nymphal stage. The
nymphs crawl about in search of a rodent host,
attach to a suitable host, and engorge with blood
in 3 to 11 days. Nymphs can live without food for
up to 584 days.
 Adults crawl about in search of dogs or large
animals for a blood meal. Adults can live for up
to two years without food. American dog tick
adults and many other species can be found along
roads, paths, and trails, on grass and other low
vegetation in a "waiting position." As an animal
passes by, the tick will grasp firmly and soon start
feeding on its host. The males remain on the host
for an indefinite period of time alternately feeding
and mating. The females feed, mate, become en-
gorged and then drop off to lay their eggs.
 The American dog tick requires from three
months to three years to complete a life cycle. It
is typically an outdoor tick and is dependent on
climatic and environmental conditions for the eggs
to hatch.
 Importance of Ticks
 When feeding, ticks make a small hole in the
skin, attach themselves with a modification of one
of the mouthparts which has teeth that curve
backwards, and insert barbed piercing mouthparts
to remove blood.
 The presence of ticks is annoying to dogs and
humans. Heavy continuous infestations on dogs
cause irritation and loss of vitality. Pulling ticks
off the host may leave a running wound which
may become infected because of their type of at-
tachment.
 The brown dog tick is not a vector of human di-
sease, but it is capable of transmitting canine pi-
roplasmosis among dogs.
 The American dog tick may carry Rocky Moun-
tain spotted fever, tularemia and other diseases
from animals to people. Dogs are not affected by
these diseases, but people have become infected
by picking ticks from dogs. People living in areas
where these wood ticks occur should inspect them-
selves several times a day. Early removal is im-
portant since disease organisms are not trans-
ferred until the tick has fed for several hours.


 The American dog tick is also -known to cause
 paralysis in dogs and children where ticks attach
 at the base of the skull or along the spinal column.
 Paraylsis is caused by a toxic secretion produced
 by the feeding tick. When the tick is removed, re-
 covery is rapid, usually within eight hours. Sensi-
 tized animals may become paralyzed by tick at-
 tachment anywhere on the body.
 Control
 Ticks should be removed from pets and humans
 as soon as they are noticed. Ticks should be re-
 moved carefully and slowly. If the attached tick
 is broken, the mouthparts left in the skin may
 transmit disease or cause secondary infection.
 Ticks may easily be removed by touching the tick
 with a hot needle or alcohol to relax it. Then grasp
 the tick firmly with tweezers or fingers near the
 mouthparts and pull evenly and firmly. A small
 amount of flesh should be seen attached to the
 mouthparts after the tick is removed.
 Pesticidal control of ticks may require both pet
 treatment and treatment of the infested area. If
 a heavy tick infestation occurs it is necessary to
 treat pets, home and yard at the same time.
 Pets may be treated with the following insecti-
 cides.
 Insecticide Comments
 5%/ carbaryl (Sevin) dust Do not use Sevin dust on
 cats under 4 weeks old.
 .5% coumaphos (Co-Ral) Do not use coumaphos on
 dust dogs under 7 months old;
 do not use on cats. Do not
 use in combination with
 other pesticides or drugs.
 3-5% malathion dust Follow label directions.
 .25% malathion dip
 .5%, malathion wash

 Rub dusts into the fur to the skin being careful
not to allow chemicals to get into the eyes, nose
or mouth. Heavy infestations of ticks on the ani-
mal should be controlled by dipping.
 Brown dog tick infestations of homes and yards
are frequently difficult to control. Insecticides
should be applied inside the house carefully as
light, spot treatments to areas where ticks are
known to be hiding. Special effort should be given
in treating areas frequented by pets. Applications
at two to four week intervals may be necessary to