Ticks are small, spiderlike creatures that feed on the blood of animals and people. They can spread germs when feeding which can result in infections including Lyme disease.
Ticks climb to the tips of vegetation, such as long grass and brambles, and climb onto the host (person) as they brush past. They will then feed on the host’s blood and drop off when finished.
Ticks are commonly found in woodland, grasslands and moorlands where there is thick vegetation but can also be found in urban parks and gardens.
The risk of getting a tick bite is highest during the spring and summer months, but they can happen at anytime of year.
Preventing tick bites
You can reduce the chance of tick bites by:
- checking clothing and skin for ticks regularly and brushing them off immediately
- walking on paths to avoid brushing against vegetation where ticks may be
- wearing light coloured clothing makes ticks easier to spot and remove sooner
- using an insect repellent that can repel ticks and prevent them climbing onto clothing and skin
- wearing long-sleeved tops and trousers makes it harder for ticks to get to your skin
After taking part in outdoor activities it’s important to check for ticks by looking and feeling for any that may be attached to the skin. Areas where ticks may be found include skin folds, armpits, groin, wrist, waistband area, behind knees, back of neck and hairline. However, it’s important to remember that bites can occur on any part of the body and there may be more than one.
Removing a tick
The safest way to remove a tick is by using fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool. Fine-tipped tweezers are different to usual tweezers used to remove eyebrows as they are very narrow and pointed at the tip. Make sure ticks are not squashed during removal.
Grasp the tick as near to the skin as possible and pull upwards slowly and firmly.
Lyme disease
Symptoms of Lyme disease may include mild flu-like symptoms such as a fever, headache and tiredness. Often, but not always, there can be a spreading bulls-eye rash at the site of the tick bite, however depending where the bite is it may be difficult to see.
Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics.
Further information about Lyme disease can be found on the NHS website
Other tick-borne disease
While Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in England and Wales ticks can also infect humans with tick-borne encephalitis.
Tick-borne encephalitis can cause a meningitis-like illness, which is usually self limiting but occasionally causes brain inflammation.
The risk of tick-borne encephalitis in England is very low. Further information about tick-borne encephalitis can be found on the NHS website
For further information please see the UKHSA Tick awareness leaflet.
Page updated July 2026