They feed in late summer on mice, shrews, chipmunks, voles, and other small animals. People rarely come in contact with larvae, as they live near ground level. Larvae pick up the disease from an infected animal. They sometimes appear translucent, with a dark head. Nymphs feed from midMay through August on larger animals including birds, racoons, opossum, squirrels, cats, dogs, and humans.
Adults are active all winter, as long as temperatures are above freezing.
They feed primarily on deer, but will also attack cattle, horses, dogs, and large animals. Humans are accidental hosts. As long as temperatures are above freezing, deer ticks are active the entire year. Next Page Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If Plants Could Talk'' 2000 William T. Hlubik , Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.