Pest Library
Brown Dog Tick
The brown dog tick is the one tick that regularly infests homes and kennels indoors, completing its entire life cycle inside. Uniform reddish-brown with no pale markings, it is often noticed climbing walls, door frames and curtains rather than out in the yard.
Profile
- Scientific name
- Rhipicephalus sanguineus
- Identification
- Uniform reddish-brown scutum with no mottling; narrower body outline than dog ticks.
- Typical size
- Unfed adults about 1/8 inch (3 mm); engorged females much larger.
- Behavior
- Hides in cracks, baseboards and furniture between feedings, and climbs upward to molt and lay eggs.
- Habitat
- Baseboards, wall cracks, furniture, crates, kennels and pet bedding.
- Diet
- Primarily dog blood.
- Lifecycle
- All stages can develop indoors, so populations can grow quickly year-round in conditioned space.
- Why it matters
- Primarily a concern for dog health. Consult a veterinarian about pet treatment and disease risk.
- DIY considerations
- Yard treatment does not address an indoor population. Vacuuming and laundering help but rarely finish it.
- Professional considerations
- Indoor service targets cracks, baseboards and harborage, coordinated with veterinary treatment, with follow-up because eggs continue hatching.
Signs of activity
- Ticks climbing walls, door frames or curtains
- Ticks in cracks, baseboards or behind furniture
- Repeat ticks on a dog that has not been outside much
- Egg masses in protected indoor crevices
Prevention
- Keep dogs on a veterinarian-recommended tick product
- Wash and dry pet bedding on hot cycles
- Vacuum baseboards, cracks and furniture seams thoroughly
- Seal cracks and reduce clutter that offers hiding space
Sources
Related information
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