Bug Identifier
Tick (likely a hard tick nymph)
Community identification

Tick (likely a hard tick nymph)

Order Ixodida; exact species cannot be determined from the image

Order & Family
Ixodida, likely Ixodidae
Size
Typically about 1–5 mm at the nymph stage; larger after feeding.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Ticks occur in vegetation, leaf litter, and on animals; this one is pictured indoors on a wall.

Diet & Feeding

Blood-feeding parasite of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles.

Behavior Patterns

Attaches to passing hosts and feeds for several days; life stages generally molt between blood meals.

Risks & Benefits

Can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, depending on species and location. No meaningful household benefit.