In Florida, ticks are a year-round concern. But summer brings a noticeable surge in their activity. Warm temperatures, high humidity, and dense vegetation create the perfect conditions for ticks to thrive. From early spring through late summer, these tiny pests become more aggressive in their search for hosts, putting both you and your pets at greater risk. A single bite from a tick can transmit serious illnesses like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Ehrlichiosis. Because ticks often go unnoticed, they can feed undisturbed for hours—or even days—before symptoms appear.
Our article, Why Summer is Prime Time for Ticks and What to Do About It, breaks down why ticks thrive in summer and offers key prevention tips. Meanwhile, this article focuses on what to do after outdoor exposure, especially when it comes to your dog. Knowing how to inspect your dog for ticks is essential to protect your family and prevent tick bites.
Where Ticks Like to Hide
Ticks prefer areas that are dark, warm, moist, and hidden—making both humans and dogs ideal hosts. These pests, including species like the brown dog tick and deer tick, are commonly found in overgrown areas with tall grass, leaf litter, or dense ground cover. As adult ticks wait for a host, they cling to the tops of grass blades or low shrubs, ready to latch on as you or your pet pass by.
Once on a host, ticks crawl until they find a suitable spot to attach and begin feeding. On humans, common hiding places include:
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Under the arms
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Behind the knees
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Around the waistline or inside the belly button
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In and around the scalp and hairline
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In the groin area
Ticks feed by burrowing their mouthparts into the skin, often staying hidden until fully engorged. Wearing light-colored clothing can help you spot crawling ticks more easily after time outdoors.
For dogs, these tiny parasites favor similar warm and hidden locations. When inspecting your pet, be sure to check these high-risk areas:
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Inside and behind the ears
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Around the eyelids
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Around the neck folds or the collar line
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Between the toes and paw pads
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Under the armpits (front legs)
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Around the groin and under the tail
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Along the inner thighs or belly
How to Check Your Dog for Ticks
Ticks can be difficult to spot, particularly in dogs with thick or long fur. Start with a hands-on check—use your fingers to feel for small lumps or bumps that could be attached ticks. Gently part the fur and look closely at the skin. Ticks vary in size depending on their life cycle stage, from poppy seed-sized nymphs to larger adult ticks the size of a pencil eraser.
Be sure to examine gear and collars, as ticks can also cling to these items before moving onto your pet. A fine-toothed tick comb can help you thoroughly inspect the coat, especially around the neck, tail base, and underarms. If your dog has a double coat or very long hair, be extra meticulous—ticks can easily hide deep in the fur.
Can You Wash Ticks Off by Bathing?
Bathing your dog after spending time outdoors is a good practice, but it’s not foolproof. A bath may help dislodge crawling ticks that haven't attached yet, but once ticks latch on to feed, water alone won't remove them. Even warm water and pet-safe shampoo will not kill ticks or cause them to detach.
Always check for ticks before and after a bath. If you discover one already attached to your dog’s skin, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure—twisting or jerking can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. After removal, kill ticks by placing them in rubbing alcohol or flushing them. Never crush them with your fingers. Wash your hands and disinfect the bite area afterward.
Preventing Ticks on Dogs: What Works
The best line of defense against ticks is prevention. Veterinarians often recommend a combination of treatments designed to repel and kill ticks before they can attach or feed.
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Topical treatments that are usually applied monthly
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Oral medications that kill ticks and interrupt their life cycle
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Tick-repellent collars that offer long-lasting protection
In addition to conventional methods of tick-borne disease control and veterinary treatments, some pet owners explore natural options, such as tick-repellent shampoos or essential oil sprays. However, always consult your vet before using these products, as certain essential oils can be harmful to pets.
How to Make Your Dog Less Attractive to Ticks
Tick control isn’t just about repellents—it’s about making your dog and your environment less appealing to these pests:
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Regularly groom and bathe your dog to remove debris and pests.
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Keep your yard tidy by mowing the lawn and removing brush piles or leaf litter where ticks live and breed.
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Avoid direct contact with ticks by steering clear of tall grass, overgrown landscapes, and areas with dense ground cover during walks.
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Walk in the center of the trails to avoid contact with tall grasses along the edges.
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Limit time outdoors during peak tick hours, especially early morning and dusk.
Rethink Frequent Outdoor Potty Breaks
While regular walks and outdoor play are important for your dog’s health, they also increase the risk of tick exposure. Each outing presents an opportunity for your dog to bring ticks home, potentially putting your household at risk.
If you're looking for a way to reduce tick exposure without disrupting your dog's routine, consider Gotta Go Grass®. This indoor grass pad for dogs is ideal for:
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Dogs in apartments or homes without easy yard access
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Rainy or hot days when ticks are most active
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Dogs recovering from illness or surgery
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Reducing the need for nighttime or early-morning outdoor breaks
With Gotta Go Grass®, you can prevent contact with ticks while maintaining your dog’s potty habits and comfort. It's a great way to prevent tick bites and limit the ways ticks might enter your home.
Final Thoughts: Stay Vigilant, Stay Safe
Tick exposure is an ongoing concern, especially as adult ticks become more active during spring and summer. Ticks carry diseases that affect both pets and people, making prevention and early detection essential.
Get into the habit of doing daily tick checks after outdoor time—on yourself and your pets. Carefully examine pets and gear, and understand which clothes require washing after exposure to known tick habitats. Treat clothing and use insect repellent on exposed skin before heading outdoors, especially in wooded and brushy areas.
By integrating routine inspections, vet-approved preventatives, and innovative indoor solutions like Gotta Go Grass® into your tick prevention plan, you create a powerful, layered defense. With these strategies in place, you can enjoy the outdoors with your pup while staying a step ahead of ticks and the diseases they carry.
For more expert tips and a wide range of pet care solutions, visit Gotta Go Grass® today!
