PB726-Common Ticks of Tennessee and Their Control

Ticks are external parasites of mammals, birds and reptiles and feed only on the blood of their hosts. They can be distinguished from insects and spiders because the head, thorax and abdomen are fused into a single, sac-like body region. They have four pairs of jointed legs and no antennae. Ticks are found walking on or attached to their hosts or in areas frequented by their hosts. These areas include woodlands, weedy or brushy areas, lawns, dag kennels an dog runs. Ticks frequently wait for a host on vegetation along trails and paths traveled by people or animals.