How long can a tick live without feeding on a human? - briefly
A tick can survive without a blood meal for several weeks to a few months, with many species living 2–3 months unfed and some, like certain soft ticks, enduring up to a year. Survival time depends on species, temperature, and humidity.
How long can a tick live without feeding on a human? - in detail
Ticks are ectoparasites that depend on blood meals for development, yet each life stage can endure extended periods without a host. The length of survival varies by species, stage, and environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.
Larval stage
- After hatching, a larva may remain unfed for 2–4 weeks under optimal humidity (≈80 %).
- In dry or cool environments, survival can drop to 1 week or less.
Nymphal stage
- Unfed nymphs typically survive 3–6 months when humidity exceeds 70 % and temperature stays between 10–25 °C.
- At lower humidity or higher temperatures, the interval shortens to 1–2 months.
Adult stage
- Female adults, which require a blood meal for egg production, can persist for 6–12 months without feeding if conditions remain favorable.
- Male adults, which feed less frequently, may survive up to 9 months.
Influencing factors
- Temperature: Moderate temperatures prolong survival; extreme heat accelerates desiccation, while severe cold induces diapause, extending lifespan but halting activity.
- Humidity: High relative humidity prevents water loss; below 50 % relative humidity markedly reduces survival across all stages.
- Species: Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes scapularis display the longest unfed periods, whereas Amblyomma americanum and Dermacentor variabilis have shorter intervals.
In summary, a tick can remain alive without a human blood meal for anywhere from a few weeks to nearly a year, depending on its developmental stage, species, and the surrounding microclimate.