Ticks

American Dog Tick

This is the most common tick here in the Piedmont region. It positions itself of the grass and shrubs with its legs out and waits for a host to come close enough for it to catch on. This tick can transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). Only the adults prefer humans or dogs to take a blood-meal from. These ticks are active in the spring, summer, and fall.

American Dog Tick_thumb

Lone Star Tick

All stages of the Lone Star tick will feed on humans or any available hosts that comes nearby. This tick is seen mostly in the coastal area but is slowly migrating into the Piedmont region. It is able to transfer Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), Ehrlichiosis, Southern Tick Associated Rash Illness (STARI), and Lyme disease.

Black-Legged Tick

Adults of this tick feed on humans but are only active in the late fall and into early spring. They are carriers of Lyme disease and are mostly seen in the coastal areas but is spreading into the Piedmont area. They are mainly active in late fall through to early spring.

Black Legged Tick_thumb

Red Imported Fire Ant

These are the only ants that have double petioles. Where the thorax gets skinny and attaches to the abdomen there are two little humps called petioles that make is easy to identify this ant. These ants are aggressive and hard to control. Treat ant mounds as soon as they are seen. Mounds can reach a depth of several feet and expand directionally outward with many secondary exits. Do research and get professional advise regarding treatment. These ants not only bite, but as they are biting, they curl the abdomen around and sting at the same time.