Study finds Europe's primary disease-carrying tick is most active after dark
New research shows the sheep tick that spreads Lyme disease in Europe mainly seeks hosts at night, challenging the belief that it bites primarily in daylight.
A year-long field study by researchers from the University of Liverpool and the University of Bristol examined the questing behavior of the sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus) at Lyme Park, England, dragging fabric blankets at four-hour intervals throughout 2022. Published in Parasites & Vectors, the work demonstrates that the tick predominantly seeks hosts during nighttime, overturning the long-standing view of primarily daytime biting.
Night-time activity peaked in cooler, moist conditions, whereas higher temperatures in May suppressed activity during midday. The authors suggest that this nocturnal pattern aligns with the activity cycles of small mammals and raises exposure risk for humans engaging in evening outdoor recreation, especially as climate change may shift temperature and humidity trends across Europe. They recommend incorporating these daily rhythms into tick-surveillance programs to improve risk assessments.
Why it matters
Understanding when ticks are most active helps people avoid bites and improves disease-surveillance efforts.
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