Common Tick

Ixodes ricinus

Appearance

Image of Common Tick [Ixodes ricinus] | Ehrlich Pest Control
  • Common ticks are hard ticks with a shield on the top of their bodies.
  • Ixodes ticks have long mouth parts.
  • Adults are red–brown color.
  • They are just a few mm long in size but grow up to a cm after feeding.

Lifecycle

  • 3 stages – larvae, nymph and adult.
  • This can take 2-4 years to complete.
  • Animals and humans can host all three stages.

Habits

  • Found on a variety of animals eg. dogs, sheep, cattle and deer as well as humans.
  • Found in most of Europe, also parts of Asia and North Africa.
  • Common in rural areas. Less common in cooler Winter months.
  • Feeding: Larvae feed on small reptiles and birds; adults feed on larger animals.
  • Bite: Can be painful and cause infection and transmit disease.