Ticks are small arachnids often associated with outdoor environments. Many people assume ticks prefer or thrive in aquatic settings, given their prevalence in damp, vegetated areas. However, their connection to water is more nuanced than simply “liking” it. Ticks are terrestrial organisms, and their survival strategies are intricately linked to moisture, though not in the way many might expect.
Do Ticks “Like” Water?
Ticks are terrestrial arthropods, meaning they primarily inhabit land. They do not live in or actively seek out bodies of water. These creatures are unable to swim, and prolonged submersion can be dangerous. Ticks breathe through small external openings called spiracles. When submerged, these spiracles can be blocked, making respiration difficult.
Despite their terrestrial nature, ticks exhibit remarkable resilience when exposed to water. Some species possess adaptations, such as a plastron or the ability to trap air bubbles, which allow them to absorb oxygen from the water and survive for extended periods underwater. For instance, unfed adult ticks can survive for over three weeks submerged, while unfed nymphs may endure for more than seven weeks. The Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) has shown an ability to survive up to 70 days in freshwater. While ticks can be drowned, the process takes a considerable amount of time, making direct water submersion an inefficient method for their elimination.
Tick Survival and Moisture Needs
While ticks do not thrive in liquid water, they have a considerable need for environmental moisture to prevent desiccation, which is severe drying out. Ticks cannot drink water; instead, they absorb water vapor directly from the air to maintain their hydration. This process is particularly effective in environments with high relative humidity, typically 80% or greater.
Their ability to absorb atmospheric moisture is facilitated by specialized salivary glands that secrete hygroscopic saliva onto their mouthparts. This saliva absorbs water molecules from the humid air, and the tick then reabsorbs the moisture. This mechanism allows them to stay hydrated for extended periods while waiting for a host. Exposure to low humidity and high temperatures significantly reduces their survival time, as they rapidly lose body water and can die from dehydration. Therefore, ticks actively seek out microclimates, such as areas within leaf litter or dense vegetation, where humidity levels remain consistently high and provide protection from dryness.
Encountering Ticks Near Water
Even though ticks do not inhabit water, they are frequently encountered in areas adjacent to water bodies. Environments near ponds, streams, lakes, and coastal regions often provide the ideal conditions ticks need for survival. These areas typically feature lush vegetation, tall grasses, and accumulated leaf litter, which create the high humidity and shade necessary to prevent desiccation.
These moist, vegetated areas also attract a variety of host animals, including deer, rodents, and birds, which are essential for the tick’s life cycle and blood meals. Ticks employ a behavior known as “questing,” where they climb onto vegetation and extend their front legs, waiting to latch onto a passing host. Therefore, while swimming or being in the water itself poses little risk of a tick encounter, the surrounding damp, overgrown areas are prime locations for these arachnids.