Bat Tick
Scientific name: Alectorobius kelleyi (formerly known as Carios kelleyi)
The bat tick is a recent addition to the New Jersey tick list and is the only “soft tick” on the list! Soft ticks are in a different family than hard ticks and have slightly different features and life histories. C. kelleyi feeds primarily on big brown bats in the Northeastern United States. If given access, bat ticks will explore the living quarters, and people or pets may be a bit. Sealing any cracks and access points to attics inhabited by bats is important.
Hosts
Bat ticks feed on bats, however, these ticks are opportunistic and can feed on pets and other mammals, such as humans, if bats are not present.
Habitat
Bat ticks can be found in bat roosts, which may be in caves, attics, barns, or cabins. The larvae feed up to 24 hours on bats and can be detected on a bat caught outside the roost. The nymphs and adults feed briefly (up to 20 minutes) and spend their remaining time in guano (bat poop) or crevices on the roost’s walls.
Locations in NJ
The first collections of bat ticks in New Jersey were from injured big brown bats brought to bat rehabilitation centers in Mercer and Sussex counties. While their distribution is unknown, given the hosts they feed on, we can assume they have a widespread distribution in the state.
Active Months
Due to the protected environment in caves and roosts, bat ticks do not have a seasonal pattern of occurrence, and all stages can occur all year round. Note: Soft ticks can go for many years without a host. Since bats have different winter and summer roosts, bat ticks may be present in the absence of bats.