Ticks are present across New Mexico. These arachnid parasites feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and reptiles, acting as vectors that can transmit various diseases. The specific species encountered determine the potential health risks. This article details the most common tick species found in the state, their preferred habitats, the diseases they transmit, and methods for personal protection and removal.
Common Tick Species Found in New Mexico
New Mexico is home to several tick species, two of which are of concern for human and pet health. The Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni) is a primary species in the region. Adult females feature a dark brown body with a mottled tan shield, while males display mottled red-brown and tan patterns.
The Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) is considered the most common species in New Mexico. This tick is generally a uniform dark brown color and feeds almost exclusively on dogs, though it will occasionally bite humans. The Brown Dog Tick can complete its entire life cycle indoors, making it a persistent pest in residential areas and kennels. A third species, the American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis), also occurs in the state and can transmit pathogens to humans.
Where Ticks Live Across the State
Tick distribution in New Mexico is influenced by elevation and climate. The Rocky Mountain Wood Tick thrives in higher-elevation forests, shrublands, and grasslands, generally found between 4,000 and 10,500 feet. These ticks are most active during the spring and early summer. They quest by crawling up grass stems and perching on leaves with their front legs extended, waiting for a host.
In contrast, the Brown Dog Tick is unique because it is the only common species found in urban areas, living primarily in yards and homes throughout New Mexico. Since this species can survive entirely indoors, the risk of encounter is not limited to outdoor activities, allowing it to be active year-round.
Diseases Carried by New Mexico Ticks
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
The most significant public health concern from tick bites is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), a bacterial illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. The primary vectors for this disease are the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick and the Brown Dog Tick. Symptoms usually develop 3 to 14 days after a bite, beginning with a sudden onset of high fever, headache, and severe muscle pain, sometimes followed by a rash.
Tularemia and Q Fever
Another bacterial disease carried by ticks in the state is Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, caused by Francisella tularensis. Ticks, especially the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick and American Dog Tick, serve as vectors for this disease, which is typically found in rabbits and rodents. Human cases average around 1.5 per year, presenting with symptoms like fever, chills, an ulcer at the bite site, and swollen lymph nodes. The Rocky Mountain Wood Tick is also cited as a vector for Q Fever, a disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii.
Lyme Disease Status
New Mexico is not considered an endemic state for Lyme disease, despite it being the most common vector-borne illness nationally. The primary vector for Lyme disease in the eastern U.S., the Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes scapularis), is not established here. While some cases have occurred in New Mexico residents, these infections were typically acquired while traveling in endemic regions elsewhere in the country.
Personal Protection and Tick Removal
Prevention
Preventing tick bites requires simple precautions when spending time outdoors. When hiking in wooded or grassy areas, wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily and tuck pant legs into socks. Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing 20% to 30% DEET to exposed skin, and treat clothing with a product containing permethrin for added protection.
Inspection and Removal
After returning indoors, perform a thorough body check, focusing on the scalp, groin, and behind the knees. Clothing worn outdoors should be tumbled in a dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill any attached ticks. To remove an attached tick, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure without twisting or crushing the tick’s body, which could leave mouthparts embedded.
Post-Removal Care
Once the tick is removed, clean the bite area thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Prompt removal is important, as transmission of most tick-borne diseases is unlikely until the tick has been attached for many hours. If a fever, rash, or flu-like symptoms develop within a few weeks of a tick bite, seek medical attention.