Brown Dog Tick

Natural Habitat

Widely distributed worldwide; unlike most ticks, it can complete its entire life cycle indoors, often found in homes, dog kennels, and cracks/crevices.

Diet & Feeding

Hematophagous (blood-feeding); primarily feeds on dogs, but will occasionally bite humans or other mammals.

Behavior Patterns

A three-host tick that requires a blood meal to progress through each life stage (larva, nymph, adult). They are known for their ability to survive for long periods without feeding.

Risks & Benefits

Significant disease vector; can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and babesiosis to dogs and humans. They provide no known benefits to the ecosystem and are considered a major pest.

Identified on: 3/13/2026