Tick bites
Ticks are small, spider-like creatures which feed on the blood of birds and mammals, including humans. They vary in size, usually between 1mm to 1cm long. They have either 6 or 8 legs.
Where ticks are found
Ticks feed off of a variety of mammals and birds, including squirrels, deer, sheep and garden birds. This means they’re usually found in areas with these animals, like:
- woodland
- moorland
- grassy areas
- gardens
Ticks don’t fly or jump but climb on to animals or humans as they brush past.
When is tick season?
Tick season is usually between March and October but it may last longer. This is because wet weather and warmer temperatures make ticks active for longer in the year.
However, ticks are something that we should think about all year round. This is because some symptoms of a tick bite, including inflammation, can take 2 to 3 months to develop.
About tick bites
Tick bites aren’t usually painful and sometimes only cause a red lump to develop where you were bitten. However, in some cases they may cause:
- swelling
- itchiness
- blistering
- bruising
What diseases do ticks carry?
In Scotland, the most common disease ticks transmit is Lyme disease (also known as Lyme borreliosis). They also carry other diseases but these mainly affect animals.
In other parts of the world, ticks can spread different diseases, some of which can cause serious illness in both humans and animals.