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The small arachnid, the tick (Ixodida), has its peak season during the summer months. The small bloodsucker transmits diseases such as Lyme disease and TBE. It can also be found in gardens and also in its nest.
In a nutshell
- Special features: tick nests can be found in dark, damp places and
- Nest consisting of several thousand eggs
- From this development of larvae
- Can transmit diseases even in the larval stage
Tick nest under leaf litter
A female tick needs a copious blood meal to reproduce. This is needed to produce eggs. After mating, the female animal then lays her eggs in a dark place on the ground. Oviposition occurs within 16 to 20 days. Then she dies. Such a clutch can consist of 3,000 to 20,000 eggs. The number depends on the tick species. In this country, the common wood beetle (Ixodes ricinus) is the most common. Typical characteristics of a tick nest are:
- thousands of brownish to slightly black, small eggs
- covered with a protective layer
- prevents the eggs from drying out
- prefers darker, wetter places
- usually under leaf litter
- high humidity required here
Notice: Ticks spend 99 percent of their lives looking for a suitable host.
Larvae hatch in the nest
Three stages of development are necessary before the tick becomes an adult. The first stage begins when the larvae hatch from the eggs after 16 to 30 days. These are:
- 0.5cm long
- reddish brown to slightly black
- have six legs
Even larvae can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease. They feed on the blood of small mammals such as:
- hamster
- mice and
- rats
When fully suckled, they drop to the ground, molt, and develop into a sexless eight-legged nymph measuring 1.5mm in size. They live freely on the ground, in the undergrowth, meadows and bushes and suck the blood of larger mammals such as dogs, cats, deer or foxes. This is when the development of the adult 3.5 to 4.5 mm bloodsucker with eight legs began.
Notice: It can quickly take two to three or even several years to develop from the larva to the adult animal. It is always dependent on finding a suitable host for a blood meal. But no problem for ticks, they can go hungry for a long time.
frequently asked Questions
How to protect yourself from ticks?
High grass and undergrowth are best avoided in summer. When going out into nature, closed, long clothing, i.e. long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt, should always be worn. It also makes sense to tuck your pant legs into your socks. If necessary, the skin and clothing can also be sprayed with an anti-tick spray. The effect lasts for a few hours. Gloves should always be worn when gardening.
How can the garden become largely tick-free?Even mowing the lawn regularly can protect against tick infestation, because they don't like short lawns. In addition, overgrown shrubs and bushes should be cut and uncontrolled growth should be avoided. This way more sun gets into the garden. Furthermore, avoid unnecessary accumulation of leaves and undergrowth. Should these form a shelter for small animals, then please not directly next to the seating area. Barriers made of gravel and wood chips between a bed and a lawn are also useful.
Can tick nests and ticks be combated naturally?Here the scent of citrus fruits can be used. The little bloodsuckers don't like him. Simply boil two oranges, limes, grapefruit or lemons in half a liter of water for an hour. The liquid must then be strained and allowed to cool. The finished brew can then be sprayed with a spray bottle in nests and other places where ticks are, as well as on the skin and fur of dogs and cats.