Which animal eats the most ticks?

It’s hard to know for sure what animal eats the most ticks but studies have thought that opossums are among the most effective tick eaters. Studies estimate that an opossum can kill or eat as many as 5,000 ticks in a single season through their grooming habits.

Do chickens and guinea fowl help control ticks?

Yes! Chickens and guinea fowl are often used on farms and in backyards for natural tick control. Guinea fowl, in particular, are known to consume large numbers of ticks and are sometimes considered more efficient than chickens.

What insects help control tick populations?

Some types of ants (including fire ants and carpenter ants), beetles, and spiders will eat ticks, especially when they are engorged or in their vulnerable early life stages.

Do frogs, toads, or lizards eat ticks?

Yes. Frogs and toads will consume the ticks they encounter, though their impact is limited. Lizards, especially species like the Western fence lizard, eat ticks and reduce the risk of transmission of Lyme disease by neutralizing the bacteria in the ticks they host.

Can raccoons and squirrels help reduce ticks?

Raccoons, squirrels, and chipmunks eat ticks while grooming themselves. While they do not actively hunt ticks, their grooming habits make them “ecological traps” that kill many ticks they pick up.

What Eats Ticks? Learn What Animals Eat Ticks for Tick Control

Q: Which animal eats the most ticks?

It&#8217;s hard to know for sure what animal eats the most ticks but studies have thought that opossums are among the most effective tick eaters. Studies estimate that an opossum can kill or eat as many as 5,000 ticks in a single season through their grooming habits.

More to Know About the Top Insects and Animals That Eat Ticks

In the FAQs below, we’ll explore more about what common animals eat ticks. Need some help with tick control in your yard? Mosquito Joe has the answers to that too! Contact a location near you to schedule service.

It's hard to know for sure what animal eats the most ticks but studies have thought that opossums are among the most effective tick eaters. Studies estimate that an opossum can kill or eat as many as 5,000 ticks in a single season through their grooming habits.
Yes! Chickens and guinea fowl are often used on farms and in backyards for natural tick control. Guinea fowl, in particular, are known to consume large numbers of ticks and are sometimes considered more efficient than chickens.
Some types of ants (including fire ants and carpenter ants), beetles, and spiders will eat ticks, especially when they are engorged or in their vulnerable early life stages.
Yes. Frogs and toads will consume the ticks they encounter, though their impact is limited. Lizards, especially species like the Western fence lizard, eat ticks and reduce the risk of transmission of Lyme disease by neutralizing the bacteria in the ticks they host.
Raccoons, squirrels, and chipmunks eat ticks while grooming themselves. While they do not actively hunt ticks, their grooming habits make them “ecological traps” that kill many ticks they pick up.

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What Eats Ticks? Learn What Animals Eat Ticks