Ticks
Ticks are small blood-sucking arthropods present throughout the world in many different environments. There are over 900 species split between either hard or soft bodied ticks.
In the UK, the Lyme disease bacteria (borrelia) can be transmitted to humans by at least three species of hard-bodied tick belonging to the Ixodes complex:
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Ixodes ricinus or sheep tick
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Ixodes hexagonus or hedgehog tick, which may inhabit urban areas
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Ixodes canisuga: the fox tick, also known as the dog tick
N.B. Ixodes scapularis is the deer tick, a native American species, not found in the UK
Table of Contents
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Where are ticks found?
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UK Tick surveillance schemes
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How do ticks spread Lyme disease?
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Ticks outside the UK
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Tick Awareness
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Tick bite prevention
1. Where are ticks found?
Ticks are present across the UK and are mostly found in woods, fields and moorland, though can also survive in some parks and gardens. Ticks cannot jump or fly. Instead they climb a piece of vegetation and wait for a passing human or animal to catch hold of. They are carried on deer as well as small mammals and birds. They may even be carried into the home on domestic pets. The prevalence of ticks is known to be particularly high in the Scottish highlands and across the south of England..
Ticks are more active from April to October but may still be found throughout the year in warmer parts of the UK. The incidence of Lyme disease peaks in June, with a smaller peak in September. Studies have indicated that between 0-12% of UK ticks may be infected with the Lyme bacteria, with some variation between different locations across the country.
The Centre for Tick Virus Research is mapping ticks sightings by the public and working with the Lyme Resource Centre (LRC) to improve awareness. Find out more here: What makes viruses tick?
2. UK tick surveillance schemes:
UKHSA Tick Surveillance Scheme
This scheme was set up in 2005 and relies upon members of the public, health practitioners, veterinary practitioners, wildlife groups and others to submit ticks to the scheme.
Tick awareness and the Tick Surveillance Scheme - GOV.UK
Distribution of Ixodes ricinus across Great Britain
Note: Areas on the map with no data do not necessarily represent areas of tick absence, but simply that no records have been received for that location.
The What makes Viruses Tick? Project
Led by the Brennan Lab at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research and supported by The Conservation Volunteers(TCV) and the Lyme Resource Centre, the WMVT? Project encouraged people to report tick ‘sightings and bitings’ via an online tick map. The project concluded in 2024.
The Big Tick project
The Big Tick Project was carried out by the University of Bristol during 2015 and was the largest ever study of ticks in dogs in the UK.It found a wide geographical spread of ticks right across the UK with the highest risk areas in the South West, Scotland and East Anglia. The study also found that dogs were at risk of ticks regardless of whether they were urban or rural.
Ticks carry a range of diseases. These diseases include Lyme disease and potentially fatal canine babesiosis.
Ticks and tick-borne diseases in the UK - THE BIG TICK PROJECT
Results of the Big Tick Project – the largest ever study of ticks in dogs in the UK
3. How do ticks spread Lyme disease?
Ticks pass through three life stages: larva, nymph and adult, and require a blood meal in each stage. The tick may become infected during one blood meal before then transmitting borrelia and other infections during its next blood meal.
There is no proven minimum time needed for transmission of infection from the tick to an animal or human, however the longer the attachment ( which can be several days) the greater the risk. Since tick bites are painless, they can easily go unnoticed - particularly nymph ticks which measure less than 2mm in size and may therefore remain attached for longer than the larger adult ticks, increasing the likelihood of transmission of Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections.
UKHSA data suggests that on average,approximately 5% of ticks in the UK are infected with borrelia (the bacteria that causes Lyme disease). This can fluctuate in different areas and across years, and can average as high as 8-10% in some areas.
4. Ticks outside the UK
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An increased prevalence of ticks and higher tick infection rates are known to occur in mainland Europe and parts of North America, as compared to the UK.
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The recorded incidence of Lyme disease is particularly high in Central and Eastern Europe and North-eastern States of the USA.
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Ticks may carry a range of other bacteria, viruses and parasites; though very few cases of other tick-borne diseases have been recorded in the UK. A case of tick-borne encephalitis was reported in the UK in Spring 2023.
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It is important to consider your travel history, within or outside the UK, if being assessed for the possibility of Lyme disease.
5. Tick Awareness
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Tick awareness is an essential part of Lyme disease prevention.
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Advice on avoidance and prevention of tick bites includes:
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Stick to well maintained paths and avoid walking in long grass
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Wear long trousers and tuck them into socks
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Wear light coloured clothing so that ticks are more easily noticed
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Carry a tick remover or fine toothed tweezers and carry out tick checks, both during and after time outdoors - especially on children and domestic animals
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Prompt correct tick removal is key to primary prevention of Lyme disease.
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Insect repellents containing DEET and picardine are effective against ticks.
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Pet owners are one and a half times more likely to be bitten by a tick than non-pet owners. (Animals may carry ticks into the home.)
6. Tick bite management
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It is estimated that only one in three people notice a tick bite.
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Nymph ticks may be as small as a poppy seed.
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Tick bites are painless.
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Ticks may remain firmly attached for up to five days. The bite may not be itchy or painful.
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Adults tend to be bitten on the lower body such as behind the knee, the groin or the navel, whereas children are more likely to be bitten above the waist, especially around the hairline.
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The likelihood of a person developing Lyme disease from a tick bite in the UK is thought to be low. However, there is no proven minimum time of attachment required for transmission of infection.
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Ticks should be removed promptly and carefully using a tick removal tool or fine tipped tweezers. Do not use oil or nail varnish, and avoid squashing or traumatising the tick as this increases the risk of transmission of infection.
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Clean and disinfect the site of the bite.
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Following a tick bite, a person should watch for signs of skin rashes, flu-like symptoms or other unusual symptoms for at least 30 days following the bite and seek medical help if they suspect that they have been infected with Lyme disease.
The LRC Lyme Disease Experience Survey 2024 highlights a significant awareness gap.
Tick bite prevention and management
Be tick aware toolkit.pdf (UKHSA tick aware toolkit)