Rocky Mountain Wood Tick
Dermacentor andersoni
Color: Reddish brown body, White and cream spots
Size: 5 – 6 mm
Shape: Oval and flat
Nutrition: Bloodsucking
Habitat: Rocky Mountains of North America, Western Canada and Montana, Colorado, Idaho
General Behavior
They generally prefer to live at altitudes between 4000 and 10000 feet. These areas are grasslands, shrubs, etc.
They are active in spring and early summer.
They climb plants and look for hosts.
They lay eggs in moist and shady places.
Threats
The diseases they transmit;
Rocky Mountains Spotted Fever (Rickettsia rickettsii)
Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)
Colorado Tick Fever (a viral infection)
Long-term feeding increases the risk of disease transmission.
There is a rare possibility of tick paralysis from the saliva of females while feeding.
Bites cause irritation, redness, swelling and itching.
Some individuals may have allergic reactions.
How Do We Recognize Infestation?
Pets should be checked for ticks.
Ticks attached to the skin are seen.
After the bite; symptoms such as fever, rash, flu may indicate a tick bite.