The Complete Guide to Ticks in Texas

As a Texan dealing with ticks is an inevitable part of life. Ticks are abundant throughout the state and can transmit dangerous diseases like Lyme disease Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis. While ticks may be impossible to avoid completely, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. This complete guide covers everything you need to know about ticks in Texas.

There are over 90 species of ticks in Texas but only a handful commonly bite and transmit diseases to people. Ticks go through four life stages – egg larva, nymph, and adult. Larvae and nymphs are extremely small, often the size of a poppy seed, which makes them easy to miss. Adult ticks are larger, around the size of an apple seed.

Ticks live in areas with vegetation like forests, prairies, and brush. They wait on the tips of grasses and bushes for a host like a deer, dog, or human to brush by so they can quickly attach. Ticks can’t fly or jump. The main way they get on humans is through contact with vegetation.

Tick season in Texas runs from March to November, with activity peaking in the spring and summer months. Ticks thrive in warm, humid environments. Climate change has also extended the tick season and expanded their geographic range in recent years.

The Most Common Ticks in Texas

Here are the ticks you’re most likely to encounter in the Lone Star State:

Lone Star Tick

The lone star tick is very common in Texas and gets its name from the white dot on the back of the female that resembles a lone star. These aggressive ticks deliver a painful bite and can transmit diseases like ehrlichiosis, tularemia, STARI, and southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI).

American Dog Tick

As the name suggests, these brown ticks prefer to feed on dogs but will also readily bite humans. In Texas, they can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.

Gulf Coast Tick

Living along the coast, these ticks spread the risky spotted fever rickettsiosis. The Gulf Coast tick can occasionally cause tick paralysis in dogs.

Brown Dog Tick

Brown dog ticks mostly feed on canine hosts but occasionally bite humans. They can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever and RMSF-like illness.

Cayenne Tick

In southern Texas, this tick transmits equine piroplasmosis to horses and other equines. It’s also associated with tick paralysis in dogs.

Blacklegged Tick

Though not as common in Texas as other regions, the blacklegged tick (also called the deer tick) can spread Lyme disease here. It prefers cooler, moist climates.

Diseases Spread by Ticks in Texas

The most dangerous thing about ticks is the diseases they can transmit through their bites. Here are some of the most common tick-borne illnesses in Texas:

• Ehrlichiosis – Caused by bacteria in the genus Ehrlichia, symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. Potentially life-threatening.

• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever – Bacteria called Rickettsia rickettsii infects blood vessels and can be fatal if not treated quickly. Causes a spotted rash.

• STARI – Southern tick-associated rash illness leads to a bullseye-shaped rash around the bite site. Fatigue, fever, and headache may occur.

• Tularemia – The bacteria Francisella tularensis causes this illness with flu-like symptoms and ulceration at the bite location. Potentially serious.

• Lyme Disease – Not as common in Texas as other regions, but Lyme disease does occur. Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria and marked by a bullseye rash.

While rare, tick paralysis can also occur when a female tick produces toxins that cause paralysis in its host. Dogs are more susceptible than humans.

When Are Ticks Most Active in Texas?

Ticks thrive when the weather is warm. In Texas, late spring through early fall is peak tick season. Nymphs are typically active from March to July while adult ticks take over from August to November.

During hot, dry spells, ticks are less abundant but activity spikes after summer rains. Climate change is leading to larger and longer lasting populations in Texas, with tick season starting earlier and lasting later into the fall.

Ticks are most active during the day when temperatures are above 45°F and humidity is over 80 percent. But be aware they can still be out any time the temperature is above freezing.

Where Are Ticks Commonly Found in Texas?

Ticks live in wooded and grassy areas waiting to latch onto passing hosts. When outdoors, be extra cautious in habitats like:

• Forests and woodlands
• Overgrown grassy areas and brush
• Along trails and footpaths
• Riverbanks and marshy areas
• Areas with lots of leaf litter on the ground

Around your home, thoroughly check areas like your patio, garden, and yard, especially if you live near wooded or grassy spaces. Keep grass mowed and trim brush to reduce tick habitats. Also check dogs carefully after being outside.

How to Prevent Tick Bites in Texas

While you can never fully prevent tick run-ins, there are precautions to reduce your risk:

• Use repellent – DEET, picaridin, and permethrin can be applied to skin and clothing.

• Wear long pants and sleeves – Tuck pants into socks when in tick zones.

• Stick to trails – Avoid venturing into overgrown vegetation.

• Check for ticks – Do thorough checks after being outdoors.

• Shower soon after coming inside – Wash off any unattached ticks.

• Treat dogs – Ask your vet about tick prevention products.

• Clear vegetation – Remove leaf litter, brush, and overgrowth near your home.

• Discourage wildlife – Keep food sources secure so wild animals like deer aren’t drawn onto your property.

How to Remove a Tick from Your Skin

If you do find a tick attached to your skin, follow these steps for safe removal:

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your skin’s surface as possible.

2. Pull the tick straight up and out slowly and steadily without twisting. Avoid squeezing the tick’s body.

3. Disinfect the bite area thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

4. Dispose of the tick by submersing it in alcohol, sealing it in a bag, or flushing it down the toilet.

5. Monitor for signs and symptoms of illness like rash, fever, chills, and body aches for up to 30 days.

6. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms, especially a bullseye-shaped rash which could indicate Lyme disease.

Tick Testing and Identification

If you want to have the tick identified or tested for disease, place it in a sealed bag and contact your local health department or agricultural extension office. They may be able to submit it to a lab for analysis.

Testing can determine if the tick carries any dangerous pathogens. This can be useful even if you aren’t symptomatic since some tick-borne diseases have longer incubation periods.

Submitting the tick may also allow experts to definitively identify the species based on close visual examination under a microscope.

The Bottom Line on Ticks in Texas

Ticks are well-established throughout the Lone Star State and can transmit a variety of troubling illnesses. Take preventative measures like using repellent, wearing protective clothing, and controlling vegetation to reduce your risks. Always check carefully for ticks after potential exposure and remove any properly. With caution, Texans can enjoy the great outdoors without letting ticks detract from the experience.