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Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum)
Identify it, prevent it, and know when to call. A South Florida guide from Pro-Spray.
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What Is the Lone Star Tick?
The lone star tick is common across the southeastern United States and is found in Florida, especially in north and central parts of the state and in wooded, wildlife-rich areas. In most built-up South Florida neighborhoods it's less common than the brown dog tick, but properties near natural areas, horse farms and acreage (think Southwest Ranches or western Davie) are more likely to see it.
How to Identify Them
The adult female's single white dot is the signature. Males have faint white streaks around the edge of the back. Nymphs are small and plain, and the tiny larvae ("seed ticks") can show up by the dozens. Compare with the American dog tick, which has ornate whitish markings on the shield.
Life Cycle
Lone star ticks have three active stages: tiny six-legged larvae, eight-legged nymphs and adults. Each stage climbs onto a host, takes a blood meal, then drops off to molt or lay eggs. A single female can lay thousands of eggs, which is why clusters of seed ticks are sometimes found together.
Look-alikes and How to Tell Them Apart
- American dog tick: brown with ornate whitish markings on the shield.
- Brown dog tick: plain reddish-brown with no markings; often lives indoors around dogs.
- Blacklegged tick: smaller with dark legs and a dark shield.
- Chiggers: tiny red mites; bites itch intensely, but you rarely see them.
Where They Hide
Wooded edges, brush, tall grass along fence lines, trails and pastures. Near homes, check shady borders next to natural areas, horse paddocks and kennels.
When to Call a Pro
Call if you're regularly finding ticks on pets or people, if you live next to wooded or rural land, or if ticks are showing up on horses or livestock. See a doctor for any rash or fever after a bite.
Signs of Lone Star Ticks
- Ticks on people or pets after walks along wooded edges or brush
- Clusters of tiny seed ticks on ankles or legs
- Ticks on horses or livestock in pastures near woods
Is it dangerous?
- Bites
- Disease risk
- Allergens
Aggressive biter of people and pets; linked to ehrlichiosis, STARI and alpha-gal syndrome (red meat allergy).
Prevention Tips
- Keep the yard edges and brush near the house cut back (by your landscaper).
- Use EPA-registered repellents and check yourself and kids after outdoor time.
- Keep pets on vet-recommended tick prevention.
- Remove attached ticks promptly with fine tweezers, pulling straight out.
How Pro-Spray Treats Ticks
We inspect yard edges, pet areas, kennels and the home's perimeter, then treat the areas where ticks wait for hosts around the home. We don't do lawn or turf care. On barns and livestock properties, we treat resting areas while avoiding feed rooms and never spraying the animals. Our Bug Free Guarantee: If pests come back between visits, so do we, at no extra cost.
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$50 OFF your first service
+ FREE inspection
Then stay protected with our $125 quarterly pest control plan, about $42/month.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are lone star ticks common in South Florida?
Can a lone star tick cause a red meat allergy?
Do lone star ticks carry Lyme disease?
Reviewed October 2026 by Pro-Spray's family-run team
Pests don't wait.
Protect your home today.
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