Tick (likely a nymph or partially engorged adult)
Scientific Name: Ixodida (Order)
Order & Family: Order: Ixodida; Family: Ixodidae (Hard Ticks) or Argasidae (Soft Ticks)
Size: 3mm to 5mm (varies significantly by species and engorgement level; can expand much larger after feeding)
Natural Habitat
Tall grass, wooded areas, shrubs, leaf litter, and areas with high humidity where host animals (like deer, mice, or pets) frequent.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (blood-feeding); parasites of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Behavior Patterns
Questing (waiting on grass tips for a host), attaching to skin to feed for several days, dropping off to molt or lay eggs.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Major vector for diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis. Bites can cause irritation or allergic reactions. Benefits: Food source for some birds and reptiles, but generally considered a pest.
Identified on: 2/22/2026