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. | 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. |