Marietta and the surrounding Cobb County region provide an ideal environment for ticks thanks to dense wooded neighborhoods, shaded parks, creek corridors, and long warm seasons. With mild winters, humid springs, and hot summers, tick populations in this part of Georgia remain active for much of the year often from late February through November, depending on temperature patterns.
Ticks in Marietta can affect both residents and pets, making awareness of local species especially important.
One of the most widespread and aggressive tick species in Georgia and especially prevalent across Cobb County.
Key traits:
Recognizable white dot (“lone star”) on adult females.
Very active during warm months and aggressive in seeking hosts.
Frequently found in wooded yards, leaf litter, and shaded brush.
Known to transmit Ehrlichiosis.
Associated with alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat sensitivity triggered by bites.
A very common species in Marietta, often encountered on pets and in grassy, sunny environments.
Key traits:
Most active from late spring through mid-summer.
Often found in tall grass, field edges, and sunny yards.
Primary vector for Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Georgia.
Larger size makes them easier to spot than deer ticks.
Present throughout wooded areas of Cobb County and responsible for most Lyme disease cases in Georgia, though Lyme is less common in the South than in the Northeast.
Key traits:
Prefers shaded woods, leaf litter, and transitional yard edges.
Nymphs are very small and active in spring and early summer.
Capable of transmitting Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.
Populations increase during mild winters and wet springs.
Not as common in natural outdoor environments, but well-adapted to living around structures.
Key traits:
Can complete its entire life cycle indoors or in kennels.
Prefers dogs as hosts.
Found in garages, crawlspaces, basements, and dog bedding areas.
Can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever in certain conditions.
