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Ticks belong to the arachnids and are classified as mites. They feed on the blood of their host animals and can transmit dangerous diseases. We present the most common species found in this country.

In a nutshell

  • The most common type of tick is the common wood tick
  • responsible for the majority of all tick bites
  • transmits Lyme disease and TBE, less often other diseases
  • other tick species prefer certain host animals
  • mainly affects dogs, more rarely humans

Riparian tick (Dermacentor reticulatus)

  • Occurrence: almost all of Germany, mainly wooded areas in southern Germany and around Berlin
  • occurs between March and June and between August and November
  • Larvae and nymphs develop almost exclusively in rodent burrows
  • Characteristics: slightly larger than the wooden goat, marbled back plate with a reddish edge
  • Humans are rarely infested, and it is particularly dangerous for pets and livestock
  • Carrier of the so-called canine malaria
Source: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Dermacentor reticulatus kz02, edited from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)

  • Origin: originally located in North Africa
  • Occurrence: now also population in southern Germany due to introduction
  • mainly affects dogs, other hosts are rarely bitten
  • Immediate allergic reactions possible in humans
  • survive less outdoors, primarily in heated dwellings
  • very short development cycle, therefore mass infestation possible
  • Characteristics: reddish-brown colour, very active
Source: Daktaridudu, Rhipicephalus-sanguineus-female-male, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Fox tick (Ixodes canisuga)

  • Occurrence and distribution: all of Europe
  • Population: stable and widespread
  • mainly affects foxes, more rarely other predators such as polecats, martens and badgers
  • can also affect dogs (common) and cats (less often).
  • Active all year round, even in winter
  • Characteristics: strongly resembles the hedgehog tick and the wood tick
  • Differences: heart-shaped (instead of hexagonal), maroon shield, yellowish body coloring

Common Woodbuck (Ixodes ricinus)

  • most common tick in Germany
  • responsible for the majority of all tick bites
  • transmits TBE and Lyme disease pathogens to humans
  • Active all year round when the weather is suitable
  • about three to four millimeters in size
  • when fully saturated up to 11 millimeters
  • can go up to a year without food
  • dangerous for humans and animals
Source: H. Krisp, Common wood tick Ixodes ricinus 2, edited from Plantopedia, CC BY 3.0

Notice: The terms “wooden goat” and “tick” basically mean the same thing, both refer to ticks that belong to the arachnids. However, confusion sometimes arises because the wood-damaging longhorn beetle species house longhorn (Hylotrupes bajulus) is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a longhorn beetle. However, this sucks no blood.

Hedgehog tick (Ixodes hexagonus)

  • closely related to the common wood tick
  • very similar in appearance
  • Widespread throughout Europe and Northwest Africa
  • Hedgehog is the most common host animal
  • but also affected e.g. Sheep, horses, dogs and people
  • transmit borreliosis and babesiosis to humans, tick bite fever
  • occur between March and November
Source: André Karwath aka Aka, Ixodes hexagonus (aka), edited from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.5

Sheep tick (Dermacentor marginatus)

  • Occurrence: v. a. in southern Europe to southern Germany
  • Habitat: In grasslands grazed by sheep and goats, in forests
  • prefer warm and dry places
  • Population: very common
  • Occurrence: March to April, September to October
  • Hosts: larger mammals such as sheep, goats, cattle, deer
  • occasionally infects dogs and humans
  • can transmit summer or spring meningitis (RSSE, FMSE)
  • also transmit other diseases, e.g. B. Q fever, in dogs babesiosis
Source: Lucarelli, Dermacentor marginatus, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

Notice: Hyalomma ticks (Hyalomma) are an introduced species and are very rare in this country. They are also known as giant ticks because of their size. Fully sucked females reach a size of up to 25 millimeters.

Pigeon tick (Argas reflexus)

  • only leather tick species
  • rarely comes into contact with humans
  • occurs mainly in pigeons
  • feed exclusively on bird blood
  • Humans are only bitten when there is a lack of food
  • do not transmit diseases, but severe allergic reactions are possible
Source: PaulT, Argas reflexus, edited from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

frequently asked Questions

What diseases can ticks transmit?

Ticks can transmit a variety of infectious diseases, with two diseases being more common than others. The bacterial infection Lyme disease occurs in about three to seven percent of all tick bites and can be treated with antibiotics. Tick-borne encephalitis (FSME), on the other hand, is more dangerous, but you and your children can be vaccinated against the pathogen (from their first birthday).

What is the risk of getting sick after a tick bite?

However, the probability that people in this country will contract Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), which is caused by the Crimean-Congo virus, is negligible. An infection with TBE is very rare even in TBE risk areas (mainly in the south of Germany), since according to scientific studies only between 0.1 and five percent of all ticks carry this virus. The probability of a Lyme disease infection is low - only between two and five percent of all those affected develop corresponding symptoms after a sting.

How can you protect yourself from a tick bite?

Since ticks do not bite immediately, but only wander around for some time in search of a suitable bite site, it is important to search them thoroughly, especially after staying in tall grass, in bushes, etc. The animals particularly like to hide in the hollows of the knees, the crook of the elbow, in the armpits, in the neck and ear area, in the hairline, around the navel or in the genital area (especially in the groin area). Immediate showering helps to rinse off any specimens that are still roaming.

How do you properly remove a tick?

Since Lyme disease infections in particular are only transmitted one to two days after the bite, prompt removal of a tick is all the more important. To do this, use tweezers or tick tweezers and place the instrument close to the skin surface. Pull the tick straight out and do not twist it, nor should the animal be treated with oil or glue. Then disinfect the sting site with an antibacterial agent.

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Garden pests