Ticks Becoming More Prevalent on Sefton Coast
According to John Dempsey of Green Sefton, ticks are becoming an increasing feature of the Sefton Coast as the Roe Deer population continues to grow. While Roe Deer are welcome as natural grazers on the dune system and have been expanding their range in the UK over recent decades, they bring ticks with them.
Understanding the Tick Life Cycle
Ticks are tiny creatures that attach themselves to wild animals and pets as a food source, feeding on blood before dropping off. The tick life cycle consists of three active stages: larvae, nymphs, and adults. Each stage requires an animal host to feed on before progressing to the next stage, or in the case of adult females, laying eggs. The life cycle takes an average of three years to complete.
When searching for a host, ticks climb to the tips of vegetation and use sensory organs on their front legs to detect carbon dioxide, changes in light, and body heat. As a host brushes past, the tick boards and finds a suitable feeding site, taking a continuous blood meal that lasts several days depending on the life stage. After feeding, the tick detaches and drops into vegetation to digest and progress. After mating, adult females lay several thousand eggs at ground level before dying.
Peak Tick Activity and Disease Risks
Ticks favor areas of long grass and woodland along the coast, with activity peaking at this time of year and again in autumn. The danger of diseases like Lyme Disease—though no instances have been recorded on the Sefton Coast so far, according to Dempsey—makes it important to check yourself after visiting grasslands and woodlands.
How to Protect Yourself
Stick to well-established wide paths and consider wearing insect repellent. If a tick attaches to you, remove it carefully using fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal card, ensuring you remove the entire tick intact. If you develop flu-like symptoms or a spreading circular rash around the bite within 1 to 4 weeks, contact your GP or dial NHS 111.
John Dempsey works for Green Sefton, the Sefton Council service that manages the Coast & Countryside, Parks & Greenspaces, and Grounds Maintenance teams.
