They may transmit germs that cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever , erlychiosis, or Lyme disease , all of which can have serious consequences for humans. Tick Life Cycle Tick Removal Tick Control Tick Life Cycle Ticks are related to mites and spiders. After hatching from the egg, the tick must take a blood meal to complete each life cycle stage. Each stage of the tick usually takes a blood meal from a different host. For most ticks, each blood meal is taken from a different type of host.
Ticks are most active in the spring, summer,and fall.
When seeking a blood meal, ticks move from secluded places such as leaf litter, cracks, and crevices to grass or shrubs where they attach themselves to an animal as it passes. Once it is on a host, a tick crawls upward in search of a place on the skin were it can attach to take its meal. The tick's mouth parts are barbed, making it difficult to remove the tick from the skin. In addition, the tick manufactures a glue to hold the mouthparts in place. After mating and feeding, the engorged female drops to the ground.