Ticks

Why Are Ticks Considered Dangerous?

Ticks are dangerous because they require a host to feed and can transmit diseases quickly, sometimes within an hour. In fact, they’re the second-largest transmitter of disease to humans after mosquitoes. 

Ticks feed on hosts—mammals, birds and reptiles—by embedding their mouths into the skin. During feeding, they can transmit multiple diseases simultaneously, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These illnesses can cause flu-like symptoms, chronic conditions and—in extreme cases—neurological damage if not treated promptly.

The good news is that ticks aren’t the most agile or abundant pests, and professional preventive measures can effectively keep them away from your home or business.

What Is the Life Cycle of a Tick?

The tick life cycle consists of four stages, with each requiring a “blood meal” (i.e., adequate feeding) to progress to the next. The entire process can take several months to years, depending on environmental conditions and host availability.

1. Egg: The cycle begins when a female tick lays thousands of eggs in a sheltered outdoor location, such as soil. Ticks must detach from their host before laying eggs, so they can’t lay eggs directly on a host (thankfully).
2. Larva: Once hatched, larvae (also known as "seed ticks") seek their first host. After feeding, they drop off the host to molt.
3. Nymph: In the nymph stage, ticks grow larger and more resilient. They seek a new host for their next blood meal, which allows them to molt again.
4. Adult: Adult ticks feed on hosts and find a place to reproduce, completing the cycle.

Throughout all stages, ticks cannot fly or jump. Instead, they rely on a behavior known as “questing” where they crawl onto tall grasses, bushes or trees and use their legs to latch onto passing hosts.

Where and When Do Ticks Thrive?

Ticks thrive in various outdoor environments, but especially in grassy, shrubby and forested areas that offer ideal conditions for finding hosts. Because ticks cannot drink water, they require areas with high humidity (85% or greater) to stay hydrated. In North Carolina, ticks are most active from spring to fall, with peak activity during the warmer months. They can become dormant when temperatures drop below 45°F or in very hot and dry conditions. 

Can Ticks Survive Indoors? 

Ticks can survive indoors if conditions resemble their preferred outdoor habitats, such as high humidity and access to hosts like dogs or rodents. Once inside, ticks can hide in carpets, upholstery or cracks and crevices, living for several weeks to months until they find a host. The brown dog tick is the only tick in North Carolina that predominantly lives indoors (see more details below).

How Long Can Ticks Live Without a Host?

Ticks can survive from a few months to two years without a host by entering a dormant state, conserving their energy until they find one. The specific amount of time varies among species and depends on the climate, humidity and local environment. 

Common Tick Breeds in North Carolina

Here’s an overview of the main tick species that bite in our state: