The common name of the bright, daisy-like flower Coreopsis has created a widespread misunderstanding regarding its relationship with parasitic arachnids. This perennial flower is a favorite among gardeners for its long blooming season and cheerful colors. The confusion stems from the plant’s designation, “Tickseed,” leading many to worry about inviting pests into their yard. Understanding the source of the name helps resolve the mystery of whether this plant attracts ticks.
The Truth About Tickseed and Ticks
The simple, definitive answer is that Tickseed plants (Coreopsis) do not attract ticks. Ticks are arachnids, not insects, and are not drawn to specific flowering plants for consumption or habitat. They are obligate parasites that locate hosts, such as mammals or birds, by detecting breath, body odor, and heat.
Tickseed plants are highly attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies, which visit the flower heads for nectar and pollen. The plant’s presence in a garden does not increase the risk of a tick encounter. Ticks are primarily concerned with environmental conditions and the presence of host animals.
Origin of the Common Name
The common name “Tickseed” and the plant’s scientific genus name, Coreopsis, are both derived from the appearance of the plant’s seeds, not the attraction of any pest. The genus name combines the Greek words koris (meaning bug or bedbug) and opsis (meaning appearance).
The seeds of the Coreopsis plant are small, dark, and possess a shape that reminded early botanists of a small insect or engorged tick. This visual resemblance caused the naming convention to stick. It is purely a morphological comparison of the seed’s appearance and has no connection to the behavior of live ticks.
Real Environmental Factors That Increase Tick Risk
Ticks are primarily attracted to specific environmental conditions that help them survive and ambush a host. They thrive in areas with high humidity and shade, as direct sunlight and dry air can quickly dehydrate and kill them. This preference means they are often found in leaf litter, dense ground cover, and tall grass.
The presence of common tick hosts is the strongest factor for increased risk. Small mammals like white-tailed deer, mice, and chipmunks frequently carry ticks and drop them into the environment. Managing habitats that appeal to these animals, such as woodpiles, overgrown shrubs, and bird feeders, is a more effective prevention strategy than worrying about specific flowering plants. Creating a barrier of wood chips or gravel between a lawn and wooded areas can reduce tick migration into human-used spaces.