Wood ticks, also known as dog ticks or American dog ticks, are small arachnids that belong to the family Ixodidae. They are commonly found in wooded and grassy areas, where they attach to animals and humans to feed on blood. Adult wood ticks are typically brown and can grow to about 1/4 inch in size. These ticks are most active in the spring and summer months. They can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever when they bite. It is important to check for ticks after spending time outdoors and to remove them promptly to reduce the risk of disease transmission.