Soft Tick

Scientific Name: Argasidae (Family)

Order & Family: Order Ixodida, Family Argasidae

Size: 3 to 10 mm in length depending on life stage and feeding status.

Soft Tick

Natural Habitat

Found in nests of hosts, caves, cracks in walls, and structures used by livestock or birds.

Diet & Feeding

Blood-feeding ectoparasite; feeds on birds, bats, mammals, and occasionally humans.

Behavior Patterns

Unlike hard ticks, they are rapid feeders (finishing in minutes to hours), lack a hard dorsal shield (scutum), and often reside in the environment rather than remaining attached to a host for long periods.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include the transmission of Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF) and other pathogens. Bites can cause severe irritation or allergic reactions. They provide no significant benefits to the ecosystem.

Identified on: 4/4/2026