A common misconception is that ticks drop from trees to get onto people. However, understanding their actual behavior and physical capabilities reveals a different story about how they encounter hosts.
Understanding Tick Behavior
Ticks cannot fly, jump, or drop from heights to reach a host. Instead, ticks typically exhibit negative geotropism, meaning they naturally crawl upwards. If a tick is found on the upper body, it crawled up from lower points of contact, not from above. This upward movement helps them position themselves to find a host.
Tick Habitats and How They Attach
Ticks primarily inhabit environments close to the ground, favoring moist areas with low-lying vegetation. They are commonly found in tall grasses, leaf litter, shrubs, brushy areas, and along wooded edges and trails. Ticks employ “questing” to find a host, climbing to the tip of a blade of grass or a leaf and extending their front legs. They wait in this position for a passing animal or human to brush against the vegetation.
When a host makes contact, the tick quickly latches on with its outstretched legs. This transfer is a direct physical encounter. Once on a host, ticks use specialized mouthparts to grasp the skin and insert a feeding tube. Many species also secrete a cement-like substance to maintain a firm attachment during feeding. Ticks use sensory organs on their front legs to detect cues like breath (carbon dioxide), body odors, heat, and vibrations, signaling a host’s presence.
Preventing Tick Encounters
Preventing tick encounters relies on understanding their behavior. Stay on cleared paths and walk in the center of trails to minimize contact with questing vegetation. Avoiding tall grass, brushy areas, and dense leaf litter is also recommended. Wear appropriate clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and long pants, to create a physical barrier. Tucking shirts into pants and pant legs into socks or boots further reduces exposed skin, making it harder for ticks to crawl onto the body.
Use tick repellents for additional protection. Products with active ingredients like DEET or picaridin can be applied to exposed skin. Permethrin is another effective option, designed for treating clothing and gear, killing ticks on contact. After spending time outdoors, perform a thorough tick check on oneself, children, and pets. Showering within two hours of coming indoors can also help wash off unattached ticks.