How to identify a Brown dog tick
Rhipicephalus sanguineus
· Also called kennel tick, brown dog tick, tick in the house, indoor tick identification
If ticks are in the house, think brown dog tick. Most U.S. ticks cannot finish their life cycle indoors. This one can, especially with dogs.
Ticks on the baseboard mean this species until proven otherwise. Most U.S. ticks cannot live indoors. Dogs, kennels, bedding. RMSF has occurred with this tick in some Southwest communities — fever is urgent. Treat animals and the structure, not only the person who itches.
What does a brown dog tick look like?
Even reddish-brown, no white shield marks, short head. Found in dog bedding, baseboards, and dogs’ ears.
Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) is Reddish-brown, about 3–5 mm unfed. Colors people notice: brown, red. Field marks: Even reddish-brown, no white shield marks; Short head; Found in dog bedding, baseboards, and ears of dogs; Can infest a house. It is found indoor. If those marks are missing, open American dog tick, Deer tick before you force this name. Search phrases that belong on this page include what a brown dog tick looks like and brown dog tick identification.
Identification marks
- Even reddish-brown, no white shield marks
- Short head
- Found in dog bedding, baseboards, and ears of dogs
- Can infest a house
Size: Reddish-brown, about 3–5 mm unfed
Colors: brown, red
Where: indoor
What a typical brown dog tick bite looks like
Small red bites on people, often where dogs sleep. RMSF outbreaks have occurred with this tick in some Southwest communities — fever after bites needs care.
People searching “brown dog tick bite identification” want the pattern, not a single anonymous bump. Small red bites on people, often where dogs sleep. More of a dog pest, but people do get bitten. Immediate steps on this page: Treat pets through a veterinarian; Wash bedding hot; vacuum cracks; People: clean bites and soothe itch; RMSF outbreaks have occurred with this tick in some Southwest communities — fever after bites needs care. This species does bite or sting people. Fever, spreading redness, trouble breathing, or a child with many stings is professional care.
If you were bitten
- Treat pets through a veterinarian
- Wash bedding hot; vacuum cracks
- People: clean bites and soothe itch
- RMSF outbreaks have occurred with this tick in some Southwest communities — fever after bites needs care
Brown dog tick vs American dog tick
Uniform brown, indoors, dogs. Deer ticks do not live in houses. If you are finding ticks on baseboards, this is the species until proven otherwise.
- American dog tick identification (Dermacentor variabilis)
- Deer tick identification (Ixodes scapularis)
- Asian longhorned tick identification (Haemaphysalis longicornis)
Range and season
Worldwide including all of the U.S. Year-round indoors.
Kennels, homes with dogs, every U.S. state. Year-round inside.
Worldwide, including all of the U.S. and southern Canada wherever dogs live. Can complete its life cycle indoors.
Year-round indoors; outdoors more in warm climates
Common questions
Can ticks live in the house?
Brown dog ticks can. Other U.S. ticks usually cannot complete their life cycle indoors.
Do they prefer dogs?
Yes. People are secondary hosts.
How do I tell them from deer ticks?
Uniform brown color, shorter mouthparts, and a dog/indoor association.
What tick lives indoors?
The brown dog tick can complete its life cycle in a house. Most other U.S. ticks cannot.
Brown dog tick vs deer tick?
Brown dog: even brown, short head, dogs and baseboards. Deer tick: dark unmarked scutum, outdoors, leaf litter.