There are approximately 770 species of tick around the world, the most common in the UK being the Ixodes species.
 

Also of importance to British pet owners is the species Rhipicephalus sanguineus, which needs to be controlled as part of the Pet Passport scheme when travelling abroad. 
 

Ticks are generally found in grassland, scrub, shrubs and the low hanging branches of trees waiting for an animal to brush against them so they can climb on board.
 

Ticks are found throughout the UK. Their life-cycle is temperature-dependent, so whilst they are found year-round, their numbers tend to increase between March and November.
 

To understand more about the tick life-cycle, please click on the links to Eggs, Larvae, Nymphs and Adults.