How Long do Ticks Live? Vet Answers and Tips
When you spot a tick on your dog or cat, your first instinct may be to panic or feel squeamish. Next come the questions: How long do ticks live? Where do ticks come from? How can I protect my pet?
If these pesky parasites have your brain spinning and your skin crawling, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s get some answers and advice from veterinary expert Dr. Alex Crow, DVM, on the tick life cycle and how to handle these pests.
How Long Do Ticks Live?
Believe it or not, ticks are not insects — they’re arachnids (the same class as spiders…which could explain why they give us the creeps). However, unlike their spider cousins, ticks don’t prey on insects. Instead, they survive off the blood of humans and animals.
That’s important, because when and how frequently ticks feed — also known as a “blood meal” — affects how long they live.
Typically, ticks live for around two to three years. However, that lifespan can vary because while ticks need blood to survive, they can go for long stretches without a blood meal.
So, how long can a tick live without a host? The length of time a tick can survive without a host depends on the species of the tick. Most adult ticks can survive for at least six months to a year without a blood meal. Some ticks can live even longer than that!
The good news is that most types of ticks cannot survive for long indoors. In the US, the Brown Dog Tick is the only species that can thrive in indoor environments, such as a kennel or a house.
The Tick Life Cycle: What You Need to Know
The best way to protect your pet and your household from tick threats is to know your enemy. And that starts with understanding the tick life cycle, so you know when to avoid ticks looking for their next blood meal.
The tick lifespan includes four distinct life stages: eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adult ticks. Most ticks have a three-host life cycle. That means they need a warm-blooded “host” (or several) to feed on at each life stage (larva, nymph, adult) before they can move from one stage of their life to the next.
The amount of time ticks take to feed on a host varies depending on their life stage. It can be anywhere from a few hours to a week. If the tick can stay on the host until it has finished feeding, it will drop off to prepare for the next life stage.
While the life cycle of a tick varies between species, here’s how it typically progresses.
- Adult female ticks generally lay eggs in the spring.
- In the summer, tick eggs hatch into the larval stage.
- Once hatched, the larvae find their first host to attach to and feed on.
- In the late summer or fall, the larvae fall off their host.
- Between the fall and the winter, they then molt into nymphs.
- Once the weather starts to warm up in the spring, the tick nymphs find a second host to attach to and feed on.
- Later in the summer or fall, the nymphs fall off their host and molt into adults.
- The following spring, the adult tick seeks its third and final host.
- Once ticks have fed on their third host, they will mate. Males usually die after mating and females will die shortly after laying their eggs in the spring.[1]
How Do Ticks Look at Each Life Stage?
Knowing how to spot ticks is another important part of prevention. But that can be tricky because a tick’s appearance can change dramatically as they pass through each stage of life.
Many pet parents wonder: What do baby ticks look like? How do they differ from adult ticks? What should I watch out for? You’re about to find out, as we explore the four stages of the tick lifecycle.
Egg Stage
After an adult female has fed and mated, she drops off of her host and lays eggs on a leaf, grass, or something else that is soft and hidden.
An adult female tick can lay a cluster of thousands of very small eggs. These eggs are usually amber or brown, translucent, sticky, and remain together until they hatch. The individual eggs are incredibly tiny and may appear as mere specks. However, the egg cluster can measure about an inch wide.
Depending on the species, hatching occurs anywhere from two weeks to two months after laying. Since adults are not able to lay eggs on a host, you won’t need to worry about finding tick eggs on your dogs or cats!
Six-Legged Larva Stage
Tick larvae have six legs and are also known as “seed ticks” at this stage. Larval ticks seek to attach to their first host as soon as they hatch. Because they are small and close to the ground, they usually consume their first blood meal from small animals, such as mice or birds.
The bite of a tick larva is less likely to carry a disease, since they are most likely taking their first blood meal. This makes the tick larva stage the least dangerous in the lifespan of a tick. However, the tick may pick up a transmissible disease at this stage.
Eight-Legged Nymph Stage
Once ticks have molted into nymphs, they have eight legs and tend to look for larger hosts for their next meal. A nymph is smaller than an adult tick.
Nymphal ticks are more likely to carry diseases at this stage because their first hosts tend to be small animals, like mice. Like larvae, nymphs may pick up a transmissible disease while feeding.
Adult Stage
Adult ticks also have eight legs and are more aggressive in seeking out their hosts. Adult ticks, while at the end of their life cycle, are much more likely to carry a disease from one of their previous hosts. Research shows that roughly one in three adult deer ticks (or black legged ticks) carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi).
Here’s the bad news: To protect yourself and your pets from tick bites, you’ll need to watch out for ticks of all stages, from larval to adult. Ticks searching for a host may target any warm-blooded animal, including pets and humans.
However, there’s good news, too. Ticks can only transmit tick-borne diseases to a host if they stay attached for 1-2 days. That’s why it’s so important to keep watch for ticks and remove them quickly to prevent the spread of tick-borne diseases.
A tick that is full of blood will look engorged and can become the size of a pea. However, not all ticks are that obvious. Most ticks found on pets and people are discovered before they finish feeding.
That’s why using effective tick prevention treatments or medications is also important. They work by repelling ticks, preventing attachment, or killing the ticks quickly once they have attached. [2] If your pet is protected by a preventative and is exposed to ticks, you will likely find dead ticks in their coat.
Vet Answers to Top Tick FAQs
You’ve got tick questions, and we’ve got the answers! Let’s check in with Dr. Crow for the scoop on pet parents’ most pressing questions about ticks.
Do ticks die in winter?
Depending on where you live, peak “tick season” is generally between May and October. Many people assume ticks die off in the winter, but these pesky parasites are more resilient than you’d think.
Most ticks survive colder winter temperatures by going dormant in sheltered spots like leaf litter and animal burrows. Some species, like the deer tick, remain active during milder winter days. That’s why effective year-round tick protection is so important!
Where do ticks lay eggs?
Female ticks lay their eggs in the environment, not on the host. After feeding, a female tick drops off the host to find a suitable spot to lay her eggs. Tick nests are often found in protected areas with leaf litter, grass, or soil. A single tick can lay thousands of eggs.
How big can ticks get?
Ticks can vary greatly in size. Larval ticks are super tiny and hard to see. Nymph ticks are slightly larger, about the size of a poppy seed. Adult ticks can be as small as a sesame seed when unfed but swell to the size of a small pea when engorged with blood, making them easier to spot.
When are ticks most active?
Ticks are most active during the warmer months, from spring through fall. However, in regions with milder climates, ticks can be active year-round. They’re typically most active during the early morning and late afternoon when temperatures are cooler.
When do ticks come out?
Ticks become active in early spring as temperatures rise and can remain active until late fall. They wait on grasses and shrubs for a host to pass by, a behavior known as “questing.” Ticks can sense the carbon dioxide exhaled by animals and latch on when they detect a nearby host. It’s important to remember that ticks cannot fly and they cannot jump!
How do ticks reproduce?
Ticks reproduce sexually, with males and females mating on a host. After mating, the female drops off the host to lay thousands of eggs in the environment. These eggs hatch into larvae, which then seek out small hosts to feed on, continuing the life cycle.
At what temperature do ticks become inactive?
Ticks generally become inactive at temperatures below 40°F. However, some species can tolerate colder temperatures and may remain active during mild winters.
Can ticks survive in water?
Ticks are not strong swimmers, but they can survive brief submersion in water. While bathing your pet can help remove ticks, it’s not a reliable method for prevention.
How long will a tick stay on a dog or cat?
A tick can remain attached to a host for several days, feeding until it becomes engorged. The longer a tick stays attached, the greater the risk of transmitting diseases. It’s important to remove ticks as soon as they are found to minimize this risk.
Tick Prevention Tips
Does the idea of a tick getting on your pet stress you out? If so, you’re not alone! Many pet parents struggle with navigating the risk of ticks when outdoors.
“I understand how stressful that can be, but don’t worry,” says Dr. Crow. “Ticks are common and we have many effective ways to deal with them.”
“While ticks can carry diseases, not every tick bite will result in illness,” he adds.
Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to help prevent these pesky parasites from attaching to you or your pet.
Keep Your Yard Tidy
Mow your lawn regularly, clear away leaves, and trim bushes to help eliminate the places ticks like to hide and nest.
Ticks seek out places that are dark and protected from predators. So, remember, even if your yard is free of debris, landscaping features like tall ornamental grasses can still harbor ticks.
Use Year-Round Monthly Preventatives
If you’re wondering: When do ticks go away, the bad news is they never really do.
Ticks can be found in every state in the United States, throughout every month of the year. They tend to be more active in warmer weather. However, ticks in winter may still be a threat…especially if you live in a milder climate. This is why vets highly recommend using year-round prevention.
Your vet can help determine the most effective tick prevention plan for your pet. This will depend on several factors, including where you live, your pet’s health, and what other parasites pose a risk in your region.
Talk to your vet to help find the best preventative to fit your pet and your lifestyle to ensure consistent, year-long protection.
Check For Ticks
It’s always a good idea to check your pets for ticks when they’ve been outdoors, especially during prime tick season. However, it’s crucial when you know your pets have been in areas with long grass, overgrown bushes, and piles of fallen leaves.
If ticks are on your pet, they are most likely to hide in warm, moist areas. So always check your pet’s ears, neck, armpits, and between the toes for tick stowaways.
If you find a tick on your pet, it’s important to stay calm and remove it as quickly and efficiently as possible. Removing ticks quickly can reduce the chance of transmission of a tick-borne disease, so staying vigilant is the best action you can take.
While it is common to find ticks on our pets, they may not be completely harmless. Dr. Crow reminds us, “If you notice any concerning symptoms or if you’re unsure about anything, then please come to see the vet.”
REFERENCES
- “The Tick Lifecycle.” Lyme & Tick-Borne Disease Testing & Statistics, Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania, 1 Dec. 2020, www.ticklab.org/blog/2020/12/01/the-tick-lifecycle/.
- Cohen, Aly. “Flea and Tick Prevention.” Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/flea-and-tick-prevention.
