how long does it take a tick to engorge
â Only ticks that are attached and have finished feeding or are near the end of their meal can transmit Lyme disease. After arriving on the skin, the tick that spreads Lyme disease usually takes 24 hours before feeding begins. â Even if a tick is attached, it must have taken a blood meal to transmit Lyme disease.At least 36 to 48 hours of feeding is required for a tick to have fed and then transmit the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.After this amount of time, the tick will be engorged (full of blood). An engorged tick has a globular shape and is larger than an unengorged one. Even if a tick is attached, it must have taken a blood meal to transmit Lyme disease. At least 36 to 48 hours of feeding is required for a tick to have fed and then transmit the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.