Ticks in Wisconsin

The ticks in Wisconsin can be grouped into two categories: common and not so common. Here, we’ll discover the three most common species of tick in Wisconsin, then learn about the two you’re less likely to run into. Ticks are bloodsuckers, like mosquitos. But they’re not insects. Ticks are arachnids, like scorpions, spiders, and mites. They start life as one of up to 20,000 eggs. On hatching, they’re known as larva. The larva has a quick feed, then molts into nymphs. Nymphs feed, then molt into adults. Adults feed, reproduce, and die. This process can take as little as three months or as long as two years. In fact, ticks can go more than a year without eating.

Here, we’ll learn how to identify the ticks in Wisconsin and what diseases each carries. Then, we’ll take a closer look at Lyme disease in the state and what you can do to prevent tick bites.

The 3 Most Common Ticks in Wisconsin

American Dog Tick

American dog ticks are larger than any other ticks in Wisconsin. They have medium brown bodies with light brown legs. Females are larger than males and have different markings. Both male and female American dog ticks, also known as wood ticks, have small mouthparts and oval bodies. Females have tan scuta (the hard shields behind their heads) and brown bodies. Males have allover mottled brown and tan bodies.

American dog ticks cannot spread Lyme disease, as they don’t carry it. What they do carry, however, is Rocky Mountain spotted fever. They’re found primarily in fields, rather than forests and are most active in the spring and summer.

Blacklegged Tick

Blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, are the darkest of all ticks in Wisconsin. Females are larger than males. Males have black legs and dark brown to black bodies, with medium-sized mouthparts. Females have dark brown to black legs, very large mouthparts, and black scuta, with red-brown bodies. 

Blacklegged ticks are the only ticks in Wisconsin that can spread Lyme disease. As larvae, they feed on mice, which carry the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. Then, as nymphs and adults, the infected ticks pass that bacteria along to their hosts, which may include humans. Blacklegged ticks feed on white-tailed deer, badgers, raccoons, coyotes, humans, and dogs, among others.

Lone Star Tick

Lone star ticks in Wisconsin have light-colored, oval bodies. Males have small mouthparts, with no tan or white markings. Females have large mouthparts and a single, tan dot in the center of their backs.

Lone star ticks do not carry Lyme disease, but they are vectors for human monocytic ehrlichiosis. Because females have such long mouthparts, their bites often become infected. Infection symptoms can occur up to one month after the bite. Lone star ticks feed on turkeys, other birds, lizards, rats, squirrels, horses, cattle, humans, dogs, and any other creature they can get their chelicerae into.

Less Common Ticks in Wisconsin

Winter Tick

Winter ticks in Wisconsin are small, brown, and rarely seen by humans. Other species of ticks take a new host for each life stage. But, winter ticks actually feed off the same host for their entire lifecycle. This means that infestations can become severe. There have even been cases of moose with over 100,000 winter ticks embedded on their bodies. So many ticks feeding actually leads to anemia, interrupted feeding, and death.

But, humans don’t have much to worry about when it comes to winter ticks. These ticks prefer large game, like moose, elk, bear, and deer.

Brown Dog Tick

The brown dog tick in Wisconsin actually lives indoors. That’s right—not even the indoors is safe from ticks. But, brown dog ticks rarely bite humans. Instead, they prey on domestic canines. These ticks live wherever there are both manmade structures and dogs. They can often be seen in dog beds, crates, kennels, or any other area that dogs frequent. If you find a tick embedded in your dog, remove it as soon as possible.

Do Ticks in Wisconsin have Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in Wisconsin. Luckily though, it is only spread by one type of tick, the blacklegged tick. So, if you find a tick embedded in your skin, try to determine what species it is. If it is a blacklegged tick, kill it, and mail it to a tick testing facility to see if it carried Lyme disease. Consult your primary care physician, and self-monitor for symptoms of Lyme disease.

How to Avoid Ticks in Wisconsin

Ticks are more than a nuisance, they’re a threat to our health and wellbeing. But, they’re also a fact of life. And if you spend much time outdoors, then chances are, sooner or later, you’re going to have to deal with ticks in Wisconsin.

The first step in preventing a bite is to wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Ticks can’t bite through your clothes, and they can’t run or jump either. So, every barrier you put up between them and your skin will reduce your chances of a bite. Once outdoors, remember to stay out of thick underbrush and tall grasses that brush against your clothes. Finally, use insect repellent on your clothes—just keep it off your skin.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/dmf87