Ticks are parasites that can transmit infections to humans, including Lyme disease and in rarer cases, tick-borne encephalitis. This blog post answers common questions about ticks, the risks they pose, and how to protect yourself.
What are ticks?Ticks are small arachnids - more closely related to spiders and mites than to insects - that feed on the blood of animal hosts, including humans. The species of greatest concern for human health in the UK is Ixodes ricinus, also known as the sheep, deer or castor bean tick. It has a three-stage life cycle - larva, nymph and adult - and must take a blood meal at each stage before it can develop further. The full life cycle takes around 3 years to complete.
When searching for a host, ticks climb to the tips of vegetation and use sensory organs on their front legs to detect carbon dioxide, body heat and movement. They attach to passing hosts and can feed continuously for several days before dropping off.
Where are ticks found?Ticks require areas of dense, low-level vegetation and a reliable supply of animal hosts. Woodlands, grasslands and moorlands are typical habitats, particularly where deer or livestock are present. The edges of woodland and scrub are often especially abundant with ticks. Ticks can also be found in urban parks and gardens. Any outdoor environment accessible to wildlife carries some potential for tick exposure.
When are ticks active?Ticks can be active throughout the year, though activity levels vary by life stage and season. That's why we remind everyone to be tick-aware whenever they head outdoors - not just during peak season.
Young ticks, known as 'nymphs', are most associated with Lyme disease transmission in humans. They are small and easy to overlook, and are most active in spring, peaking between April and June.
Tick activity typically reduces over the summer before picking up again in early autumn. Adult ticks are active across all seasons, with a peak in summer. Surveillance data suggests ticks are now becoming active earlier in spring than in previous decades, so it's important to be tick aware at any time of year.
How likely am I to catch a disease from a tick bite?Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne infection in England and Wales, with approximately 1,500 laboratory-confirmed cases reported annually. Cases have been recorded across most areas of England, Scotland and Wales, though they are more frequently reported from parts of southern England.
The majority of tick bites do not result in illness. Not all ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, and not all bites from an infected tick lead to infection. Current research suggests that around 4% of ticks in England carry the relevant bacteria, though this varies by location. Studies in Europe estimate that between 1 and 5% of bites from infected ticks result in Lyme disease.
Ticks can also carry tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus, which has been detected in a small number of areas in England. A very small number of human cases have been diagnosed in the UK. The risk to the general population is assessed as very low.
Alpha-gal syndrome is a very rare allergic condition that can develop following a tick bite. A tick bite can cause some individuals to produce antibodies that subsequently react to red meat, dairy products and some animal-derived medicines, triggering a response that can range from gastrointestinal symptoms to a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). The condition is not an infection and cannot be passed between people. It is very rare in the UK,
How can I reduce my risk of being bitten?The following measures can reduce the chance of being bitten by a tick during outdoor activities:
walk on clearly defined paths to avoid brushing against vegetation wear long trousers and long-sleeved tops to limit direct skin exposure wear light-coloured clothing, which makes crawling ticks easier to spot use an insect repellent containing DEET, following the manufacturer's guidance regularly check clothing and exposed skin during outdoor activity and brush off any crawling ticks immediately How do I check for ticks after being outdoors?After any outdoor activity - including walking, running, gardening, camping, dog walking or picnicking - carry out a thorough tick check by looking and feeling across your skin. Pay particular attention to skin folds and areas where ticks are commonly found: armpits, groin, behind the knees, around the waistband, wrists, the back of the neck and the hairline. Adults are most commonly bitten on the legs; children more often on the head and neck. Note that more than one tick may be attached at a time.
How do I remove a tick safely?You can easily remove any attached tick as soon as possible using fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool. Fine-tipped tweezers - narrow and pointed at the tip - are distinct from regular tweezers and are important because they avoid crushing the tick during removal.
Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward slowly and firmly. The longer an infected tick remains attached, the greater the risk of disease transmission, so prompt removal is important.
Tools for removing ticks alongside one of the insects What should I do if I find a tick in the UK?If you find a tick, you can submit it to the UKHSA Tick Surveillance Scheme, which monitors tick populations and the pathogens they carry across the country.
https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/30/what-are-ticks-and-how-can-you-avoid-being-bitten/
seen at 10:42, 30 June in UK Health Security Agency.