Ticks

Ticks are biting arachnids that pose a global health threat due to their ability to transmit tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease to humans worldwide. Parasitic in nature, they rely on a host’s blood for nutrition, attaching themselves to animals or humans to feed. There are two main types of ticks: hard-bodied (ixodid) ticks and soft-bodied (argasid) ticks. Hard-bodied ticks, like the blacklegged (deer) tick, are distinguished by a dorsal shield, which is absent in soft-bodied ticks.

​Ticks are significant vectors, meaning they transmit pathogens from an infected reservoir (such as a mouse) to a host (such as a human). Each tick may carry a different profile of tick-borne diseases. Understanding the biology and behavior of ticks, as well as how to identify a tick, is crucial for preventing tick-borne illnesses and managing their impact on human health.

North American Ticks

Enjoy the following slideshow below to learn more about North American ticks. Click play to start the slideshow and use the arrows to move through the slideshow at your own pace. 

Every continent possesses a different profile of ticks which in turn carry a different list of pathogens. To learn more about ticks from around the world, the diseases they carry, prevention and treatment, click here.

What Do I Do After a Tick Bite?

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