Ticks Removed from Dogs and Animal Care Personnel in Orangeburg County, South Carolina

ABSTRACT

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) were collected from animals and workers at veterinary clinics and animal shelters in Orangeburg County, South Carolina from April to December 1994. Frequently recovered species were Dermacentor variabilis (Say), Amblyomma maculatum Koch, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille), Ixodes scapularis Say and Amblyomma americanum (L.). Except for four A. americanum nymphs, only adult ticks were collected. Ixodes scapularis was collected in the fall, winter, and spring and R. sanguineus was present during most months. All other species were active during the spring and summer. A brief discussion of the medical and veterinary importance of each species is included.

Key Words:

• Ticks
• South Carolina
• tick-borne disease