Tick Identification

Your Guide to Types of Ticks in Southold NY

Regardless of species, most ticks are found hidden in tall grass or shrubs, generally off the beaten path. They cannot jump or fly; instead, they crawl as high as they can and raise their front legs in hopes of grabbing onto people or animals that brush past.

Deer Tick

Deer ticks, also known as black-legged ticks or bear ticks, are brown to black in color. The deer tick gets its name from one of its most common hosts – the white-tailed deer.

Lone Star Tick 

Lone Star ticks get their name from the distinctive white dot or “star” in the center of the female tick’s back. The males are smaller and lack this star. These ticks are best known for their ability to transmit a molecule that causes alpha-gal syndrome – a red meat allergy.

American Dog Tick

The American dog tick is brown to reddish brown in color. Males have a mottled gray-white distributed over their entire bodies; this coloration is only present on the female’s shield. Like the deer tick, it gets its name from its preferred host – in this case, dogs.

How to Remove a Tick

If you find a tick on your body (or your pet’s), don’t panic; while ticks can transmit disease, it’s unlikely to happen in the first few hours after the tick attaches itself. In fact, it can take up to a day for a transmission to take place. However, it’s still best to act quickly. 

1. Using tweezers, grasp the tick as close to its head as possible. 
2. Pull straight out without twisting. Twisting can break the tick’s head off, potentially leading to infection.
3. Save the tick in a container or plastic bag in case it is needed for diagnostic purposes.

If you begin experiencing flu-like symptoms following a tick bite, get medical attention immediately. Tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease have better outcomes the sooner medical treatment can begin.