Tick Control

Sheep Tick (Ixodes ricinus)

• The most common and medically significant tick in the UK
• Found in rough pasture, moorland, woodland edges, and long grass
• Responsible for the majority of Lyme disease transmission in the UK
• Adults approximately 3 to 4 mm unfed, swelling to 10 mm or more when engorged. Reddish-brown body with darker legs
• Three-stage life cycle (larva, nymph, adult) spanning 2 to 3 years

Hedgehog Tick (Ixodes hexagonus)

• Commonly found on hedgehogs, foxes, and domestic pets
• Often encountered in suburban gardens
• Can also transmit Lyme disease
• Frequently found in pet bedding and kennels

Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)

• Not native to the UK but occasionally introduced by dogs travelling from continental Europe
• Unlike other UK ticks, this species can complete its entire life cycle indoors
• A potential pest in homes and kennels if introduced

Lyme Disease

The most significant tick-borne disease in the UK. Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted through infected Ixodes ricinus bites. An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 cases are diagnosed in England and Wales each year.

• Early symptoms include an expanding circular red rash (erythema migrans), fatigue, headache, and muscle and joint pain
• If untreated, it can progress to affect the joints, heart, and nervous system
• Risk increases the longer a tick remains attached (typically 24 to 48 hours before transmission)

Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE)

A viral infection recently identified in a small number of tick populations in parts of England. Risk remains very low but is monitored by Public Health England.

Babesiosis

A rare parasitic infection. Cases in the UK are uncommon but have been recorded. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, and haemolytic anaemia.

• Keep grass short: Especially near pathways, play areas, and garden borders
• Clear leaf litter and debris: From garden borders and woodland edges
• Create barriers: A 1 metre gravel or bark chip strip between lawn and woodland boundaries
• Discourage deer: With fencing or deterrents where practical
• Wear protective clothing: Long sleeves, tuck trousers into socks in tick-prone areas
• Check after outdoor activity: Inspect skin and clothing after time in long grass or woodland
• Treat pets: Use veterinary-approved tick prevention products
• Remove ticks promptly: Using a tick removal tool, twist gently, do not pull

We provide tick surveys and treatment across Darlington, Middlesbrough, and Northallerton. Rural and semi-rural properties in the North East are particularly affected. Tick control often complements flea and mite control for properties with pets and livestock. Agricultural businesses and outdoor education settings benefit from seasonal tick management programmes. See how we work for full details of our process.

Spring (March to May) - First peak season: Ticks become active as temperatures rise above 7°C and humidity increases. Nymphs (the stage most likely to bite humans) emerge from leaf litter and climb onto low vegetation, waiting for a passing host. Rural and semi-rural properties near woodland, moorland, and farmland across Darlington, County Durham, and Middlesbrough are particularly affected. Watch for: ticks on dogs and cats after walks through long grass, tiny dark nymphs (1 to 2mm) on clothing and skin after gardening, and deer activity in gardens which indicates high tick host presence.

Summer (June to August) - Sustained activity: Tick populations remain active throughout summer, particularly in areas with long grass, bracken, and dense undergrowth. Family gardens backing onto woodland and fields see the highest risk. Watch for: ticks found on children and pets after outdoor play, adult ticks (3 to 4mm, dark brown) on clothing and lower legs, and multiple tick bites from a single area of the garden which indicates a localised hotspot. Outdoor education settings and farming operations should implement tick awareness protocols during this period.

Autumn (September to November) - Second peak: A second surge in tick activity occurs as adult ticks seek hosts before winter. Deer ticks are particularly active during the autumn rut when deer movement increases across the North East. Watch for: larger adult ticks on pets and livestock, ticks appearing on clothing after woodland walks around Stockton, Hartlepool, and North Shields, and tick bites that produce a circular rash (erythema migrans), which requires urgent medical attention as it may indicate Lyme disease.

Winter (December to February) - Low activity but not absent: Most ticks become dormant below 7°C, but mild North East winters can see continued activity during warm spells, particularly in sheltered south-facing garden borders. Watch for: ticks on dogs after walks on mild winter days, and any persistent circular rashes from autumn bites that should be referred to a GP. Winter is the best window for habitat management: cut back overgrown borders, clear leaf litter, create gravel barriers between lawns and woodland, and arrange a tick dragging survey to identify hotspots before spring.