Deer Ticks in Tennessee | Pest ID Guide
Quick Facts About Deer Ticks
Deer ticks, also called blacklegged ticks, are the ticks that carry Lyme disease. They’re less common in Tennessee than lone star and dog ticks, but they’re present, and the nymphs are so small they’re easy to miss.- Adult size: About 1/8 inch unfed; much larger when engorged
- Adult female: Orange-red body with a black shield behind the head and dark legs
- Adult male: Smaller and nearly all black
- Nymphs: About the size of a poppy seed; responsible for most Lyme disease cases
- Active: Nymphs mainly in late spring and summer; adults in fall, winter, and early spring on mild days
- Diseases: Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis
How to Identify Deer Ticks
Dark legs and a small size set them apart. Lone star ticks have a white spot and American dog ticks have whitish markings; deer ticks have neither.Why Nymphs Matter Most
Nymphs are tiny and often go unnoticed until they’ve been attached for a while. That’s why daily tick checks are so important in spring and summer.
Lyme Disease: What to Know
- How it spreads: Through the bite of an infected deer tick. A tick generally needs to be attached for more than a day to transmit Lyme disease. Other Tennessee tick-borne illnesses, like spotted fever and ehrlichiosis, can spread much faster, sometimes within hours, so remove ticks right away.
- Early signs: A rash, sometimes shaped like a bull’s-eye, that appears days to weeks after the bite, along with fever, chills, fatigue, and aches.
- Later signs: Joint pain, facial drooping, or heart palpitations if untreated.
- Treatment: Usually antibiotics, which work best when started early. See a doctor for any rash or flu-like illness after a tick bite.
Where Deer Ticks Live
- Wooded areas and the edges where woods meet lawns
- Leaf litter, brush, and stone walls
- Tall grass along trails and fences
- Areas with deer and small rodents, which carry ticks
How to Prevent Deer Tick Bites
- Use EPA-registered repellent on skin and permethrin on clothing
- Stay in the center of trails
- Do a full-body tick check after time outdoors, especially in spring and summer
- Shower soon after coming inside
- Check pets and use veterinarian-recommended prevention
- Keep leaf litter and brush cleared from your yard
If you find one, remove it right away. See how to remove a tick.
Professional Tick Control
Treating the shaded, brushy areas of your yard where ticks wait can significantly reduce tick numbers. See our tick control services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a deer tick look like?
Adult females have an orange-red body, a black shield behind the head, and dark legs. Males are smaller and nearly all black. Nymphs are the size of a poppy seed.
Are deer ticks in Tennessee?
Yes, though lone star and American dog ticks are more common here.
How long does a deer tick need to be attached to spread Lyme disease?
For Lyme disease, generally more than a day. But other tick-borne illnesses common in Tennessee, like spotted fever and ehrlichiosis, can spread much faster, so check daily and remove ticks right away. See a doctor for fever, rash, or headache after any tick bite.
What are the first signs of Lyme disease?
A rash, sometimes shaped like a bull’s-eye, plus fever, chills, fatigue, or aches, appearing days to weeks after a bite.
When are deer ticks active?
Nymphs are most active in late spring and summer; adults are active in fall, winter, and early spring on mild days.
Related Pests
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