Most common ticks in North Carolina have a similar life cycle. Depending upon the kind of tick, the source of this meal will vary. Not all ticks will attack humans and each stage may attack a different type of animal. Another meal is sought by the hungry nymph. After dropping from the host, the fed nymph soon becomes an adult.
Adults again seek a host and feed.
When feeding, the tick firmly attaches itself to the skin. The mouthparts of the tick are barbed like a fishhook and once in place becomes hard to remove. The tick also produces a glue which holds the mouthparts in the skin. When attached, the tick begins to suck blood. If not removed, the adult female tick will remain attached 5-7 days.