Description
The tick (sheep tick) is a small, blood-feeding arachnid that can transmit Lyme disease. It moves through grass and low shrubs and climbs onto passing animals and people.
Behavior
Ticks wait on plant stems and latch on when something brushes past. They feed on blood for 4–7 days. They're active from February to November, peaking in spring and autumn.
What to do
Check yourself after every outdoor activity, especially: hairline, armpits, knees, and groin. Remove a tick as soon as possible with tick tweezers or fine-tipped tweezers: grip it close to the skin and pull it slowly straight out, without twisting. Disinfect the bite site. Keep the tick. Watch the spot for 3 months. A growing red ring or patch (erythema migrans), or flu-like symptoms: see a doctor.
Pro tip
Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot. Tucking pant legs into socks significantly reduces risk. DEET spray works as a repellent.
Interesting fact
Only 1–5% of ticks in the Netherlands carry the Lyme bacterium (Borrelia). The faster you remove a tick, the lower the infection risk — under 24 hours attached carries almost no risk.