Ticks, especially the common sheep, castor bean or deer tick (Ixodes ricinus), are known to transmit a range of pathogens to humans through their bite. To avoid this happening, it is wise to avoid being bitten by ticks in the first place.

Read: Tips and tricks to avoid being bitten by ticks

Ticks can carry a wide range of diseases and pathogens. In the UK, Lyme Disease is the most common illness caused by ticks. Recently though there have also been confirmed cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in England.

Read more: List of tick-borne diseases.

Most bites are likely to occur in late spring and early summer when tick activity is at it’s highest. They can bite you at other times of year as well though.

Learn more: When ticks are most active

There are several things you can do to help avoid being bitten. These include:

– use an insect repellent that can repel ticks and prevent them from climbing onto clothing or attaching to the skin 
– wear long trousers and long sleeved tops to reduce the direct exposure of ticks to your skin

Read more advice about avoiding tick bites.

Anytime you’re out exploring nature, be it walking through a woodland, gardening, having a picnic on the grass or photographing wildlife on moorland, it’s recommended to do a quick check for ticks.

See: How to check for ticks

The safest way to remove a tick is to use a tick removal tool or fine-tipped tweezers.

Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, and taking care not to squeeze the body, pull upwards slowly and firmly.

Remove ticks promptly. Evidence suggests the longer they are feeding, the more risk there is of disease transmission. 

Buy a BDS tick removal card

Get a tick twister tool

If you have been bitten by a tick in the UK please be vigilant for Lyme disease or TBE symptoms particularly between 3 to 30 days after a bite.

Learn more: NHS Lyme Disease Information