Brown Dog Ticks in a Martin County Florida home. This was a case where Reynolds Pest Management had an opportunity to use its expertise in pest control for this infestation of This tick problem had to be addressed on multiple occasions which is often the case at the homes we treat on The Treasure Coast, and in Palm Beach County, Florida. Ticks Appearance: Ticks come in a variety of colors as regards specific species. Smaller than a sunflower seed (1/8 inch); yet if engorged with blood, adults can be up to 5/8-inch long. Nymphal (or immature) ticks are less than 1/16-inch. Common problem ticks include the American dog tick, deer or black legged tick and lone star tick. Habit: While some species require moisture to survive, others can and do in more arid environments. They habituate near wooded and highly vegetated areas. Diet: They consume blood meals during all of the four developmental stages in a tick’s lifecycle. All females and males of most species feed on blood of mammals, birds and reptiles. Reproduction: From egg and larvae, to nymph and adult; ticks have only six legs during their larval stage and eight legs during the nymphal and adult stages. A tick’s life cycle will support and transfer pathogens (organisms that cause diseases) in the animals they infect and can be passed through all stages of a tick’s life cycle.