Is it a tick?
A tick is a small, eight-legged arachnid parasite commonly found in grassy or wooded areas where it attaches to passing hosts.
CC0 photograph via iNaturalist (research-grade identification)
whichbug identifies insects from what you can see. It does not identify bites and has no health information.
What to look for
| Size | 1-10 mm |
|---|---|
| Colour | reddish-brown to dark brown |
| Shape | oval and flattened when unfed, becoming rounded when engorged |
| Wings | none |
| Antennae | absent |
| Movement | slow crawler with eight legs |
Where you'll find them
tall grassleaf litterwoodpilesfence postspet beddingnuisance only
Ticks do not damage fabrics, stored food, or building structures.
Season: spring through fall
Signs it's around
- presence of attached or detached specimens
- shed exoskeletons (molted skins)
- fecal specks on host fur or bedding
- clusters in vegetation near entry points
Not sure? The lookalikes
| vs bed bug | ticks have eight legs and no wings, while bed bugs have six legs and flattened oval bodies |
| vs spider beetle | ticks have eight legs and a fused body, whereas spider beetles have six legs and distinct antennae |
| vs clover mite | ticks are larger with eight legs, while clover mites are tiny with eight legs but much smaller and red |
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