Ticks are tiny crawling bugs in the spider family that feed by sucking blood from animals. If the animal is carrying Lyme disease spirochetes, the tick sucks them up as it feeds and they multiply in the tick’s gut. The tick may then transfer them into the next animal it feeds on.

Where Do Ticks Live?

Tick density is linked to local microclimate, flora, and fauna and can vary dramatically from one spot to another even within a single yard. Density and infection rates also vary from year to year in a single location.

Ticks prefer humid environments. Adult ticks climb up grasses and bushes on the edges of trails to wait for an animal to pass by. In hot, dry weather they are less active. Immature ticks are often found in leaf litter under oak trees. Nymphs may climb up onto downed logs.