top of page
Search

The Lone Star Tick: Identification, Risks, and Control

  • Writer: Ohio Pest Control
    Ohio Pest Control
  • 2 days ago
  • 2 min read

thumbnail with blog title

The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) gets its name from the single silvery-white spot on the dorsal surface of the adult female. While not considered a structural pest, it is the tick species most frequently found on humans in the eastern and southeastern United States. It is of medical importance due to its role in transmitting several serious diseases and conditions, including:



Geographically, this tick is found from central Texas to the Atlantic Coast and up to southern New England, with high concentrations in the Ozarks and eastern Oklahoma.



Recognition


  • Size:

    • Unfed females: ~1/8" (3.2 mm)

    • Males: ~2.9 mm

    • Engorged females: up to 11 mm long, 9.25 mm wide

  • Color:

    • Reddish-brown, turning slate gray when engorged

    • Females: one silvery-white spot on the back

    • Males: multiple horseshoe-shaped spots

  • Body Structure:

    • Oval, flat, visible mouthparts from above

    • Adults have 8 legs, larvae have 6 legs

    • Scutum (dorsal shield) differs by sex



Similar Species


  • Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum): Triangular basis capituli, single spur on leg I.

  • Gopher tortoise tick (A. tuberculatum): Two subequal spurs on leg I.

  • Cayenne tick (A. cajennense): Scutum with extensive pale markings.



Diseases Transmitted


  1. Tularemia – Caused by Francisella tularensis.

  2. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever – Caused by Rickettsia rickettsii.

  3. Ehrlichiosis – Caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis and E. ewingii.

  4. STARI – Rash similar to Lyme disease, cause currently unknown.

  5. Heartland Virus – A newly identified virus found in the southeastern U.S.

  6. Alpha-Gal Syndrome – Delayed allergic reaction to red meat after a tick bite.

  7. Tick Paralysis – Caused by neurotoxins in tick saliva.



Habitat and Behavior


lone star tick

  • Prefers shaded, humid areas with low-growing vegetation.

  • Found most often in woodland edges, transitional zones, and meadows.

  • Ticks crawl up vegetation and wait to latch onto passing hosts.

  • All life stages will bite humans.


Common Hosts


  • Larvae/Nymphs: Rabbits, rodents, squirrels, ground birds

  • Adults: Deer, dogs, cats, humans, wild turkeys



Control and Prevention


1. Personal Protection

  • Tuck pants into socks; wear light-colored clothing.

  • Avoid sitting on logs or grass in tick-prone areas.

  • Use EPA-approved tick repellents.

  • Perform full-body tick checks after outdoor activities.


2. Habitat Modification

  • Mow grass to ≤3 inches.

  • Trim vegetation along trails and property edges.

  • Remove ground cover and leaf litter.


3. Host Management

  • Use traps or bait stations to control rodent populations.

  • Prevent pets from roaming in wooded areas.


4. Pesticide Use

  • Apply acaricides to high-risk areas (wooded edges, trails).

  • Treat in early spring to target overwintered stages.



Learn More


The lone star tick poses serious health risks due to its aggressive feeding behavior and ability to transmit multiple diseases. Its wide geographic range and increasing presence in suburban and rural areas make awareness and prevention more important than ever. By understanding its biology, habitat preferences, and associated health threats, individuals and communities can take effective steps to reduce tick encounters. 

From using repellents and wearing protective clothing to maintaining your yard and applying treatments when necessary, a proactive approach is key to minimizing exposure. Staying informed and vigilant can significantly lower the chances of tick bites—and the serious conditions they may cause.

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page