Biting Nuisance
In the UK, tick attachment has become a relatively widespread concern. Over the years there has been a steady increase in the distribution and density of ticks, which is caused largely by human impact on the habitat and the wildlife hosts of ticks (Randolph et al.), but also may be due to climatic changes.
Ixodids occupy more habitats and parasitize a greater variety of animals than argasids. They will choose all manner of mammals, reptiles, and birds as hosts and are vectors for a variety of diseases. Humans and companion animals become incidental hosts, because of their presence in the tick's habitat.
Ticks are able to survive in a wide variety of habitats, from the highlands
of Scotland, to city-centre parks and gardens, providing there are suitable
vegetation and humidity levels to maintain the species, as well as a sufficient
concentration of host species for each of the developmental stages of
the tick. In areas where humidity is low, ticks resist desiccation by
spending shorter periods questing for hosts. They can also enter diapause
at unfavourable times of the year.
A finch with heavily engorged ticks on its head.
Tick can be endophilic or exophilic. Endophilic ticks remain within their host's nest or burrow throughout their life cycle. Exophilic ticks actively seek their hosts out. As well as spreading disease, ticks can also cause "Tick Worry". This occurs when an animal suffers blood loss, anaemia, irritation, and allergic reaction, as a direct result of heavy tick infestation.
