Ticks (Ixodida) have a very small, oval-shaped body and belong to the class of animals known as arachnids. Adult ticks and nymphs have eight legs, while larvae have only six. A tick lives for about three to five years. At all stages of development (i.e., larva, nymph, adult), they feed on the blood of vertebrates. Adult females can increase their body weight up to two hundred times with just one blood meal. They can go without food for very long periods of time.

There are approximately 900 different species of ticks worldwide, with over 20 of these species found in Germany. A distinction is made between soft ticks and hard ticks, although the vast majority of all species belong to the hard tick group. The castor tick (Ixodes ricinus), which is widespread in Germany, and the forest tick (Dermacentor reticulatus), also known as the “common wood tick,” are responsible for most tick bites in humans and pets.

Ticks become active at temperatures of about five to seven degrees Celsius, with peak activity occurring in the spring and fall. However, larvae, nymphs, and adult ticks can now be found year-round, primarily due to climate change and the resulting mild temperatures during the winter months. The absence of prolonged periods of permafrost favors the survival of ticks, meaning that numerous nymphs can already be spotted at the beginning of spring.

Ticks often climb onto exposed surfaces, such as blades of grass, bushes, or dead wood lying on the ground, and are carried along when they come into contact with humans or animals. Ticks can be found in gardens, parks, forests, and meadows. They cannot jump and do not fall from trees. Many ticks wait at a height of less than one meter above the ground. In contrast, riparian forest ticks, relict ticks, and Hyalomma ticks actively move toward humans.

Preferred bite sites include: the hairline, ears, neck, armpits, the crook of the elbow, the back of the knee, and the genital area. Tight-fitting clothing is also perceived by ticks as a safe area. Therefore, ticks bite where clothing fits tightly, such as around the hips. The choice of bite site is crucial to the tick’s survival. As a result, the tick often crawls around on the body for some time before finally biting. 

When going for walks or spending time outdoors, it is recommended to wear long, skin-covering clothing to make it harder for ticks to reach your skin and feed on your blood. You can also tuck your pant legs into your socks so that ticks cannot come into direct contact with your skin. Wearing light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks.

The use of so-called repellents also helps protect against ticks (see link to the Federal Environment Agency, UBA). Repellents are substances used to ward off pests or nuisance insects. They can be applied to both clothing and the skin. They should be applied 20–30 minutes after applying sunscreen. It is important to note that repellents can reduce the protective effect of sunscreen; therefore, a higher UV protection factor should be used if necessary. High humidity and high temperatures can shorten the duration of protection provided by some products. If the dosage is low or the concentration is diluted—for example, by body sweat—the effectiveness may diminish or be compromised. Therefore, it is advisable to reapply repellents only after first cleaning the skin.

After spending time in tick-infested areas, it is generally advisable to check your body for ticks and remove them promptly. Children, in particular, should be thoroughly checked for ticks.

Ticks can survive a full wash cycle at 40 degrees Celsius in the washing machine. However, a wash cycle at 60 degrees Celsius or a cycle in the dryer will kill the tick. Ticks also die at a temperature of -20 degrees Celsius.

The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) issues vaccination recommendations for early summer meningoencephalitis (FSME). Further information can be found here (opens in a new tab).

Ticks do not bite immediately. They first look for the best spot on the body. By checking for ticks, it is possible to spot them in time to remove them. In particular, the risk of infection with Borrelia bacteria can be minimized by removing the ticks promptly. Borrelia bacteria can be transmitted up to two days after a bite. In contrast, TBE viruses can be transmitted within a short time after a tick bite.

Among the most significant infectious diseases that can be transmitted by ticks in this country are early summer meningoencephalitis (ESME) and borreliosis.

In addition, there are a number of infectious diseases that can be transmitted by a tick bite; however, these have either never been observed in Germany or have been observed only extremely rarely.

Early summer meningoencephalitis (ESME) is a disease caused by the ESME virus. It can be transmitted to humans through a tick bite. In addition, there are known cases in which the virus was transmitted through the consumption of raw milk products, such as goat’s or sheep’s milk. The disease is not transmitted from person to person.

The course of the disease is divided into two phases:

The first phase is characterized by flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, as well as a general feeling of illness.

Some of those affected progress to the second phase and, after about a week, develop what is known as meningoencephalitis. In addition to the brain and the meninges, the spinal cord and the meninges surrounding the spinal cord may also be affected. Typical symptoms include fever, nausea, and vomiting, as well as neurological deficits. Particularly severe cases are characterized by paralysis of the limbs as well as speech and swallowing difficulties. Respiratory paralysis combined with severe drowsiness may also occur.

In most cases, however, the infection remains asymptomatic.

Vaccination against TBE is available and provides effective protection against the disease. The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends the TBE vaccine for people who are exposed to ticks in TBE-risk areas and for those at occupational risk of TBE, such as those working in forestry or agriculture. Furthermore, vaccination is recommended for travel to TBE-risk areas, including those outside of Germany. Additional information can be found here (opens in a new tab).

The following rural and urban districts in Hesse are among the TBE risk areas identified by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI): Bergstraße District, Darmstadt City District, Darmstadt-Dieburg District, Fulda District, Groß-Gerau District, Main-Kinzig District, Marburg-Biedenkopf District, Odenwald District, and Offenbach City and District.

You can find additional TBE risk areas in Germany on this map (opens in a new tab). 

Lyme disease is caused by an infection with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Borrelia bacteria are found throughout Germany. The bacteria are primarily transmitted to humans through a bite from Ixodes ricinus (the “common wood tick”). The risk of developing Lyme disease depends on how long a tick feeds on blood. In other words, the longer the tick feeds, the greater the risk that it will transmit the bacteria.

After a tick bite, a ring-shaped redness about five centimeters in diameter may appear at the bite site; this is also known as “erythema migrans.” This is an early sign of infection with Borrelia bacteria and a typical symptom of early-stage Lyme disease. It is advisable to closely monitor the bite site to better track the possible development of erythema migrans. If this occurs, it is essential to see a doctor for further evaluation. In its early stages, Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. There is currently no vaccine against Lyme disease.

There are also known cases of infection in which flu-like symptoms occurred but no erythema migrans was present. Typical flu-like symptoms include, among others, fatigue, as well as headaches, joint and muscle pain, and skin changes. In severe cases, damage to the heart, nerves, and kidneys may occur.

A tick should be removed as soon as possible, especially if it has already attached itself firmly. It is important not to squeeze the tick’s body while removing it, as this increases the risk of pathogens from the tick entering your body. After removing the tick, continue to monitor the bite site for several days. If you have any medical questions, consult your family doctor.

Pets can also be bitten by ticks. After playing outside or going for a walk, check your dog or cat for ticks and remove any you find immediately. Ticks can bite pets anywhere on their bodies, but they particularly favor areas with sparse fur, such as the head, ears, paws, and groin. Special tick repellents can be used as a preventive measure. Talk to your veterinarian about this.

Climate and environmental factors play a key role in the spread of ticks. High temperatures and drier weather conditions alter the distribution of ticks and, consequently, the risk of transmission of TBE viruses and Borrelia bacteria.

Climate change is facilitating the establishment of non-native tick species (e.g., the Hyalomma tick). As a result of climate change, living conditions for such tick species could improve in the future, allowing them to spread geographically even further. As a result of climate change, the average temperature in Europe is rising and winters here are becoming milder, which allows ticks to survive the winter months more easily and remain active year-round.