Ticks.
Ticks are tiny parasites that feed on blood and can transmit serious diseases to humans and pets. Learn how to identify them, recognize risk areas, and take precautions to protect your family and animals.
-
Residential services
Residential services
Most popular package$102/moPest + termite planOur specialized termite treatments help minimize their presence, while our core management services keeps up to 20 other pests in check.Find your plan - Service areas
- About
- Special offers
- Contact
Call now for a free quote
(877) 372-9696
(877) 372-9696
Call now
(877) 372-9696
(877) 372-9696
or request your free quote
"*" indicates required fields
*SMS opt-in details listed below
**Initial fees apply
Ticks are tiny arachnids that have thrived for over 100 million years, feeding on everything from dinosaurs to humans. Solely surviving on blood, they are one of the planet’s most resilient and successful parasites. In North Carolina, four common tick species can bite humans and pets, so preventing them is key.
Why are ticks considered dangerous?
Ticks are dangerous because they require a host to feed and can transmit diseases quickly, sometimes within an hour. In fact, they’re the second-largest transmitter of disease to humans after mosquitoes.
Ticks feed on hosts—mammals, birds and reptiles—by embedding their mouths into the skin. During feeding, they can transmit multiple diseases simultaneously, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These illnesses can cause flu-like symptoms, chronic conditions and—in extreme cases—neurological damage if not treated promptly.
The good news is that ticks aren’t the most agile or abundant pests, and professional preventive measures can effectively keep them away from your home or business.
What is the life cycle of a tick?
The tick life cycle consists of four stages, with each requiring a “blood meal” (i.e., adequate feeding) to progress to the next. The entire process can take several months to years, depending on environmental conditions and host availability.
- Egg: The cycle begins when a female tick lays thousands of eggs in a sheltered outdoor location, such as soil. Ticks must detach from their host before laying eggs, so they can’t lay eggs directly on a host (thankfully).
- Larva: Once hatched, larvae (also known as "seed ticks") seek their first host. After feeding, they drop off the host to molt.
- Nymph: In the nymph stage, ticks grow larger and more resilient. They seek a new host for their next blood meal, which allows them to molt again.
- Adult: Adult ticks feed on hosts and find a place to reproduce, completing the cycle.
Throughout all stages, ticks cannot fly or jump. Instead, they rely on a behavior known as “questing” where they crawl onto tall grasses, bushes or trees and use their legs to latch onto passing hosts.
Where and when do ticks thrive?
Ticks thrive in various outdoor environments, but especially in grassy, shrubby and forested areas that offer ideal conditions for finding hosts. Because ticks cannot drink water, they require areas with high humidity (85% or greater) to stay hydrated. In North Carolina, ticks are most active from spring to fall, with peak activity during the warmer months. They can become dormant when temperatures drop below 45°F or in very hot and dry conditions.
Can ticks survive indoors?
Ticks can survive indoors if conditions resemble their preferred outdoor habitats, such as high humidity and access to hosts like dogs or rodents. Once inside, ticks can hide in carpets, upholstery or cracks and crevices, living for several weeks to months until they find a host. The brown dog tick is the only tick in North Carolina that predominantly lives indoors (see more details below).
How long can ticks live without a host?
Ticks can survive from a few months to two years without a host by entering a dormant state, conserving their energy until they find one. The specific amount of time varies among species and depends on the climate, humidity and local environment.
Common tick breeds in North Carolina.
Here’s an overview of the main tick species that bite in our state:
How can you prevent ticks?
The most effective way to prevent ticks and protect your family, workers or customers is through professional control services. Our treatments target tick habitats, significantly reducing their presence and the risk of disease by:
- Thoroughly inspecting your property for breeding areas
- Using specialized products to control them
- Providing tips and recommendations for limiting occurrences
- Performing follow-up visits to monitor treatment effectiveness
Personal precautions can also help when you’re outdoors in tick-prone areas—including using insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin; wearing long sleeves, pants and closed-toe shoes; and keeping your lawn free of tall grass and litter. Perform tick checks regularly on yourself and your pets, and remove them with tweezers if they are found, monitoring carefully for any illness symptoms that develop.
Start safeguarding your home or business with Terminix Triad. Our experts will eliminate current infestations, protect you from future threats and provide lasting peace of mind.
Call now
(877) 372-9696
(877) 372-9696
or request your free quote
"*" indicates required fields
*Email/SMS opt-in details listed below In need of customer support? Contact us here.