
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.
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.