Regional tick guide

Ticks in Washington

Explore reviewed tick occurrence records for Washington, with links to identification profiles, evidence and practical guidance.

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Reviewed sources

3

linked tick species

State

geographic level

US-WA

location code

3 reviewed species records are currently linked to Washington.

Introduced, occasional and other records

Adult female Dermacentor andersoni on the left and adult male on the right with scutum differences marked

Rocky Mountain wood tick

Also known as: Rocky Mountain tick

Dermacentor andersoni

Present Dermacentor hard_tick Washington

Washington Department of Health records the Rocky Mountain wood tick primarily in eastern Washington.

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A hard tick of the Rocky Mountain states and southwestern Canada. Adults are the principal stage associated with pathogen transmission to humans.

Also known as: Rocky Mountain tick

Identification:

Adults are ornate Dermacentor ticks with short mouthparts, eyes and festoons. Females have a cream-patterned anterior scutum; males show pale mottling across most of the dorsum.

Hosts: Humans, Small mammals, Large mammals, Livestock, Dogs

Habitats: Rocky Mountain rangeland, Grassland and shrubland

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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Adult female Ixodes pacificus western blacklegged tick on a green blade of grass

Western blacklegged tick

Also known as: Western black-legged tick

Ixodes pacificus

Present Ixodes hard_tick Washington

Washington Department of Health records the western blacklegged tick in western Washington and along the eastern Cascade slopes.

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A Pacific coast hard tick, particularly important in northern California. Nymphs and adult females are more often reported on people, although larvae also bite humans.

Also known as: Western black-legged tick

Identification:

Adult females have a dark anterior scutum and reddish-orange posterior body when unfed. Ixodes ticks lack eyes and festoons and have an anal groove anterior to the anus. Expert examination may be needed to separate related Ixodes.

Hosts: Humans, White-tailed deer, Small mammals, Birds, Lizards

Habitats: Pacific coastal woodland, Woodland edges and trails

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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CDC photograph of an Ornithodoros hermsi soft tick specimen

Herms soft tick

Also known as: Relapsing fever tick

Ornithodoros hermsi

Present Ornithodoros soft_tick Washington

Washington Department of Health records the soft tick Ornithodoros hermsi in elevated forested areas of Washington.

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A nocturnal, rapidly feeding soft tick associated with rodent nests and rustic cabins in mountainous western North America.

Also known as: Relapsing fever tick

Identification:

Soft-bodied tick without a dorsal scutum. Mouthparts are not visible from above. Nymphs and adults feed briefly, often without the person noticing.

Hosts: Humans, Rodents

Habitats: Rodent nests and rustic cabins

Photographs and visible features may be insufficient for definitive identification.

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Practical tick guidance

Related guidance

Use these VuxLore® resources alongside the location records and species profiles above.

Identify ticksSpecies, life stages and identification guidance Prevent and checkReduce exposure and perform thorough tick checks Remove ticksRemoval methods, tools and common problems Bites, symptoms and healthSourced guidance about bites, symptoms and disease

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