They might not get as much attention as fleas, but ticks can be even more dangerous. Ticks lie in wait for unsuspecting animals—including humans—to brush by their hiding places on weeds, grasses, bushes, or other leafy vegetation.

Then, they attach themselves to the pet, take a long blood meal, and fall off into the environment (where the female tick lays her eggs and dies).

Here are some other important things to know about ticks:

• Ticks thrive in high humidity and moderate temperatures.^[1]
• Tick populations are affected by climate and abundance of hosts.^[2]
• Some species can survive for long periods without feeding.^[3]

REFERENCES:

1. Wall, R. & Shearer, D. Vet Ectoparasites. Ames, IA: Blackwell; 1997:60.

2. James A.M., et al. Distribution, seasonality, and hosts of the Rocky Mountain wood tick in the United States. J. Med. Entomol. 1996; 43(1):17-24. (See p. 18)

3. Stafford, K.C., Tick management handbook. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station; 2007:13.

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