The American Dog Tick

Dermacentor variabilis (Say)

The American dog tick is found throughout much of the eastern United States. It is found throughout New Jersey in rural and suburban areas, but is more common in overgrown fields and wooded edges than in forests. In urban areas, American dog ticks may be locally abundant in vacant lots, rights-of-way, or similar areas where vegetation is not maintained.

Immature American dog ticks tend to feed on voles, mice, and other small mammals, while adults feed on a variety of medium- and large-sized mammals. Adults first appear in March and may be encountered through the spring and summer. Larvae and nymphs are most abundant in spring and summer months, respectively. In New Jersey, the typical life cycle takes 2 years to complete, but each stage can survive for extended periods without feeding.