Hard Ticks - UK
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Ixodes ricinus
This is a common hard tick found in the UK. As with most hard ticks Ixodes ricinus is a 3 host tick as well as a 3 stage life cycle. The ticks spend the mojority of their life on the ground, only requiring a blood meal prior to moulting to the next stage. The Ixodes ricinus life cycle normally takes 3 year but can range from 2 - 7 years in some cases, during this life cycle the tick will normally feed 3 times. After becoming adult the female will mate once whilst on the host before being shed to the ground. The female will lay several thousand eggs in matted vegetation such as rough pasture and hedgerows, following this she will die.
Ixodes canisuga
- Host specific dog tick
- Problem in kennels
Ixodes hexagonus
- Known as the hedgehog tick
- Affects hedgehogs, dogs, cats, ferrets and weasels
- Common in small animal practice
Haemaphysalis spp.
- Affects cattle
- Transmits Babesia major, a relatively non-pathogenic protozoan parasite
- Uncommon
Dermacentor spp.
- Affects sheep
- Rare