Ticks are small arachnids that attach to hosts and feed on blood, which can transmit diseases. While many ticks appear brown or black, some species exhibit reddish hues, especially after feeding. Recognizing their characteristics and potential health risks is important for protection against tick-borne illnesses.
Common Ticks with Reddish Hues
Several tick species in the United States can display a red or reddish-brown coloration. The Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum) is one such species. Adult females are approximately 1/8 inch (3-4 mm) wide before feeding, appearing reddish-brown or tan. When engorged, they can reach up to 1/2 inch (12 mm). Males are smaller (2-5 mm) and may have red patches.
The American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis) also presents with reddish-brown tones. Unfed adult females are around 5 mm long, males about 3.6 mm. Engorged females can grow significantly, up to 15 mm long and 10 mm wide, appearing slate gray.
The Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) is uniformly reddish-brown. Unengorged adults are about 1/8 inch (3 mm) long; engorged females can swell to 1/2 inch (12 mm), sometimes appearing gray-blue or olive. It has an elongated body shape.
The Blacklegged Tick, or Deer Tick (Ixodes scapularis), while typically dark brown or black, the abdomen of unfed adult females can appear reddish-orange. When engorged, the female’s body expands to 1/2 inch and can take on a reddish or grayish appearance.
Distinguishing Features and Environments
Differentiating these ticks involves observing specific markings, body shapes, and preferred environments. The female Lone Star Tick is identifiable by a single, distinct silvery-white spot on its back. Males have scattered spots or streaks along their body margins. They are prevalent in wooded areas with underbrush, along creeks and rivers, common in the southeastern United States and extending northward along the eastern seaboard.
The American Dog Tick is characterized by creamy-white or gray-silver mottled patterns on its reddish-brown body. Females have a shorter dorsal shield behind the head, while males have patterns covering most of their back. It is widely distributed east of the Rocky Mountains and along parts of the Pacific Coast, thriving in drier habitats like open fields, lawns, and trails.
The Brown Dog Tick lacks ornamentation, appearing a uniform reddish-brown. It has an elongated body shape and a hexagonal basis capituli. It is globally distributed but commonly found in warmer climates, associated with human habitations, kennels, and indoors where domestic dogs are present.
The Blacklegged Tick typically has dark brown or black legs. Unfed adult females have a reddish-orange body with a dark brown to black dorsal shield; when engorged, they become round and darker. It is primarily found in deciduous forests, tall grasslands, and forest edges across the eastern U.S. and northward to the Great Lakes region.
Potential Health Concerns
Reddish ticks can transmit various pathogens. The Lone Star Tick is associated with Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI), causing a circular rash similar to Lyme disease, along with fatigue, headache, fever, and muscle pain. It can also transmit ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and in some individuals, cause alpha-gal syndrome, a meat allergy. Ehrlichiosis symptoms include chills, headache, fatigue, and muscle pain, while tularemia may present with fever and swollen lymph nodes.
The American Dog Tick is a primary vector for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, causing high fever, chills, muscle aches, and sometimes a rash 2-4 days after fever begins. It can also transmit tularemia. Transmission typically requires the tick to be attached for 6-10 hours.
The Brown Dog Tick is known to transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, particularly in the southwestern U.S. While it rarely feeds on humans, it is a significant vector for diseases in dogs, including canine ehrlichiosis and canine babesiosis, which can cause fever, bleeding disorders, and anemia.
The Blacklegged Tick can transmit several serious diseases. It is the primary vector for Lyme disease, often presenting with a characteristic bull’s-eye rash, fever, headache, and fatigue. It also transmits anaplasmosis (flu-like symptoms), babesiosis (a protozoan infection leading to hemolytic anemia), and the Powassan virus, which can cause neurological symptoms with rapid transmission.
Protecting Yourself from Red Ticks
Protecting yourself from tick bites involves several preventive measures outdoors. Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin. Treat clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin for additional protection, as it remains effective through several washings.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to create a physical barrier. Tuck pants into socks or boots and shirts into pants to prevent ticks from crawling onto skin. Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot. Stay on marked trails and avoid tall grass, dense brush, and leaf litter where ticks reside.
After time outdoors, conduct a thorough full-body check for ticks, including hair, ears, and skin folds. Showering within two hours of coming indoors may reduce tick-borne disease risk. If a tick is found, prompt and proper removal is important. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin, pulling upward with steady, even pressure. Clean the bite area and hands with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Avoid folk remedies like petroleum jelly or heat, as these can agitate the tick.