Ticks are present across Nevada, and understanding their presence is important for residents and visitors who engage in outdoor activities. The state’s arid climate leads to a lower overall tick population compared to more humid regions, but specific habitats provide suitable conditions for multiple species. Awareness of local tick types, the health risks they carry, and proper prevention techniques is necessary for enjoying Nevada’s diverse natural environments safely. Tick activity is highest during the warmer months, typically from spring through summer.
Identifying Nevada’s Tick Species
Nevada is home to four primary tick species that people might encounter: the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni), the Western Black-legged Tick (Ixodes pacificus), the American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis), and the Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). The Rocky Mountain Wood Tick is the most common species found outdoors in the state.
The Rocky Mountain Wood Tick is recognizable by its reddish, teardrop-shaped body. Unfed adult females have a white or silver-gray shield on their backs, while males display gray and white spots. The American Dog Tick is larger, featuring a red-brown body with tan or white mottling, and is sometimes confused with the wood tick.
The Western Black-legged Tick is smaller and can be reddish-brown and black. The nymphal stage of this tick is particularly small, often the size of a poppy seed. The Brown Dog Tick is unique because it is the only species that can complete its entire life cycle indoors.
Geographic Distribution and Habitat
Tick presence in Nevada is closely linked to elevation, moisture availability, and host animals. The Rocky Mountain Wood Tick is primarily found at higher elevations, generally above 4,000 feet, in the mountainous regions of the state. These ticks prefer areas with shrubs, lightly wooded sections, and open grasslands, often positioning themselves along trails where large mammals, including humans, are likely to pass.
The Western Black-legged Tick is distributed along the Pacific coast and has established pockets in Nevada, particularly in areas adjacent to the western Sierra Nevada range. This species favors forested and scrub-shrub habitats near water sources, and its activity can persist into the milder winter months.
The American Dog Tick, while less common than the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick, is typically found in grassy fields, scrubland, and along pathways that lack dense tree cover. The Brown Dog Tick is uniquely concerning as it can infest homes and kennels, though its primary host remains the domestic dog.
Potential Health Concerns
Ticks in Nevada are vectors for several bacterial and viral illnesses. The Rocky Mountain Wood Tick is the main carrier of Colorado Tick Fever and can also transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) and Tularemia. Symptoms for these diseases frequently include fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue, sometimes appearing days or weeks after the bite.
The American Dog Tick is also a known vector for RMSF and Tularemia. RMSF is a severe illness that can be fatal if not treated early. Additionally, the Western Black-legged Tick, although uncommon in Nevada, is the species capable of transmitting the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, along with anaplasmosis.
Lyme disease transmission from local Nevada ticks is rare, especially in the western parts of the state. Soft ticks, such as those found in high-elevation rodent nests, can transmit Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, which presents with recurring fevers and chills. If a person develops a fever, rash, or other flu-like symptoms following a tick bite, they should consult a healthcare provider promptly.
Prevention and Safe Removal
Protecting yourself from tick bites involves preparation before outdoor activities and vigilance afterward. Before entering tick habitat, clothing and gear can be treated with products containing 0.5% permethrin, which repels and kills ticks. Applying an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET to exposed skin provides another layer of defense.
When hiking, stay in the center of trails and avoid walking through high grass, leaf litter, and brushy areas where ticks wait to attach to a host. After returning indoors, a thorough full-body check is advised, with particular attention paid to areas like the scalp, under the arms, and behind the knees. Any clothing worn outdoors should be tumbled in a dryer on high heat for at least ten minutes to kill any hidden ticks.
If a tick is found attached, it should be removed immediately using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull upward with a steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking, which can cause the mouthparts to break off in the skin. After removal, the bite area and hands should be cleaned with soap and water or rubbing alcohol, and the tick can be disposed of by flushing it down the toilet.