Ticks are small, parasitic arachnids known for their ability to transmit diseases to both humans and animals. Ticks are typically less than 1/4 inch in size but can engorge to several times their original size after feeding.

Ticks are obligate blood-feeders, meaning they require a blood meal to complete their lifecycle. They latch onto their hosts—such as mammals (humans), birds, or reptiles—using specialized mouthparts. Ticks are known vectors of several serious diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and anaplasmosis. They can transmit these diseases through their bites, which can cause symptoms ranging from mild irritation to severe, long-term health issues.

Controlling ticks involves a combination of environmental management and personal protection. To reduce tick populations around homes, maintain a well-trimmed lawn, remove leaf litter and tall grasses where ticks can thrive, and create barriers between wooded areas and living spaces. Using acaricides or tick control products can help manage outdoor tick populations. For personal protection, use insect repellents containing DEET or permethrin on clothing and exposed skin, and conduct thorough tick checks after spending time outdoors, especially in areas with high tick activity. Professional pest control services may also be utilized for extensive tick problems, providing targeted treatments to eliminate ticks and reduce the risk of disease transmission.