A Complete Guide to Ticks in North Carolina

Last updated July 2024

Ticks are small blood-sucking parasites that live in forested areas, tall grasses, leaf piles and vegetation all year long, but are most active and prolific when it’s warm outside. They are typically ground-dwelling insects, but they may also live in tree branches and canopies. They grab onto suitable hosts, from humans to pets to wild animals. In order to properly feed, ticks stay attached to their host, so they travel where their host goes. 

By staying vigilant and taking preventative measures, the risk of tick bites and tick-borne diseases can be significantly reduced. Learn more about ticks in North Carolina below.

When Are Ticks Most Active?

Ticks' activity levels vary based on the species and environmental conditions. In general:

• Ticks are more active in warmer temperatures, typically between 45°F and 85°F.
• Ticks thrive in high humidity levels because they are prone to drying out.
• Tick activity increases during longer daylight hours in spring and summer increase.

North Carolina often records the highest levels of the tick-borne disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. And, with heat waves in the state getting longer and hotter, ticks have more time to reproduce and stay active.

What Types of Ticks Are Found in North Carolina?

The most common types of ticks you'll find in North Carolina are:

• The American dog tick
• Brown dog tick
• Lone star tick
• Black-legged tick

Each species has unique characteristics and habits. Let’s explore them below

American Dog Tick

The American dog tick is active throughout the spring, summer and fall. It can live anywhere with vegetation cover that gives it a good hiding spot, including woodland paths, parks, pastures and backyards. This tick prefers to feed on a different animal in each life stage; as larvae, they feed on small mammals like mice and voles while nymphs—the stage between larva and adult in the tick life cycle—feed on opossums and raccoons. As their name suggests, adult American dog ticks often choose dogs, and humans, as hosts.

Brown Dog Tick

This species of tick feeds almost exclusively on dogs, rarely attaching itself to humans. Females lay mass amounts of eggs in protected cracks and crevices, resulting in several thousand larvae hatching at once. Brown dog tick populations can quickly grow out of hand, especially in dog kennels where hosts abound.

Lone Star Tick

The lone star tick most often feeds on humans, as well as other large mammals like deer and dogs. Adults and nymphs are active in the spring and summer, while larvae are abundant during the fall. A bite from this species can also cause the alpha-gal allergy, a reaction to mammal meat, such as beef, pork and lamb.

Black-legged Tick or Deer Tick

The black-legged tick is also commonly known as a deer tick. Larvae and nymphs feed on lizards and small mammals, while adults prefer dogs and deer. As its name suggests, its identifying characteristic is its black legs and brown body. Black-legged ticks are the vector for the bacterium that causes Lyme Disease, making it important to be able to distinguish between this species and others.

What Attracts Ticks?

Ticks search constantly for their next meal or a safe place to hide. Around your home, you'll likely find ticks around your lawn, in your garden and around the edge of woods and forests. But what makes a space most attractive to a tick? Common elements include:

• Heat and Carbon Dioxide - Ticks are drawn to the heat and carbon dioxide that warm-blooded mammals give off.
• Movement - Ticks are also drawn to movement and vibrations, causing them to extend their forelegs in the hope of finding a host.
• Tall Grass - Ticks are sensitive to dry conditions, so they gravitate to tall grass that takes longer to dry completely and that can shade them from the harsh sun. Overgrown grass also acts as a safe space, as well as a vector for ticks to attach to their hosts. 
• Piles of Leaves - Similar to tall grass, ticks use leaf litter as a hiding spot. The inner layers of leaf piles stay moist, giving ticks the perfect habitat.
• Spilled Bird Seed - Spilled bird seed itself doesn’t attract ticks, but it does attract rodents and deer that carry them, introducing them onto your property. 
• Certain Scents - Ticks can be drawn to certain smells like body odor, your breath, perfumes that contain musk and natural ingredients. Studies have also shown that Type A blood is more attractive to ticks. 

With this in mind, you're most likely to find ticks hiding around your yard in spaces like playground equipment, patio furniture and areas with trash, so stay vigilant.

Are Ticks Dangerous?

While their bites aren’t particularly painful or damaging, ticks are considered dangerous because of the variety of diseases they can transmit to humans, like Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI). This is why it’s very important to be proactive about protecting your body from ticks.

After coming from outside, conduct a full-body check after spending time in potentially tick-infested areas. Pay special attention to the areas of your body that are the warmest and most inviting to ticks, such as your armpits, hair, ears, belly button and the areas around your joints and your groin.

The best way to repel ticks is with EPA-registered insect repellents, that way you know the product is both effective and safe to use. The most effective products contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone.  

In addition to tick repellents, there are other simple precautions you can take to protect yourself from ticks, like tucking your pant legs into your socks and tucking your shirt hem into your pants, avoiding the places where they live, and checking your clothing and body meticulously after spending any amount of time in areas where they could live. 

If you do find a tick on your body, don’t panic! Instead, find a pair of fine-tipped tweezers and remove the tick as soon as possible. Here’s how to do it properly:

• Use the tweezers to grasp the tick, getting as close to the skin’s surface as you can.
• Pull steadily upwards—don’t twist or jerk the tick. Sudden movements can cause part of the tick’s mouth to break off, remaining under your skin. If this happens, use tweezers to remove the parts left behind.
• Thoroughly wash your hands and the area with soap and water.
• Avoid touching the tick with your bare hands and fingers. Don’t squeeze the tick’s body, as doing so may cause it to release harmful pathogens into your body. 

How To Keep Ticks Out of Your Yard

By taking the following precautions, you may be able to significantly reduce ticks in your yard:

• Keep your grass short and mowed. Ticks hide in taller grasses and thick vegetation, so keeping your grass short will reduce the amount of suitable environments for them.
• Clear leaf litter, weeds and brush. Moist, shaded areas with organic debris provide an ideal environment for ticks.
• Move wood piles and bird feeders away from the house. Wood piles and bird feeders can attract small mammals like squirrels and rodents that carry ticks.
• Keep dogs and cats out of tall grasses and wooded areas. Always check your pets for ticks if they're coming back from outside.
• Decorate your garden with plants that don't attract deer. Larger mammals can also be tick carriers, so avoid drawing them into your yard. 
• Trim tree branches and shrubs to allow more sunlight into the yard. Ticks can dry out, so the more sun your yard is exposed to, the better.

Ultimately, the best way to keep ticks out of your yard is to get your green spaces treated professionally. Pest control companies like Terminix Triad are properly trained and equipped to handle the job. To effectively eliminate ticks, we create a custom treatment plan based on your unique situation. Ready for peace of mind from ticks? Call us at 877-732-9696 for more information or contact us for a free quote.