The Brown Tick carries the Rock Mountain Fever disease which effects humans as well as dogs. The American Dog Tick carries the disease Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis or HGE which effects humans only. Tick induced diseases cause symptoms in dogs which may range from fever and vomiting to ulcerated lesions, joint pain, paralysis and even death. Symptoms in humans can range from headaches, nausea, joint pain, rashes, paralysis and even death. Ticks can be found almost anywhere however they tend to be most frequently found in tall grasses, or woody areas.
Ticks require high humidity and moderate temperatures.
Juvenile ticks generally live underground or at ground level. When they are ready to find a host to feed on they climb up on a tall blade of grass or other object and raise their front feet in the air and wait till their host brushes past them to hitch a ride. Should you find a tick on you or your pet you need to remove it by using a pair of tweezers and grasping the tick as close to the skin as possible. Then slowly pull the tick straight out. Ticks have mouth parts like tiny barbs and are not always easy to get out.