How long can a tick remain on a person? - briefly
A tick can remain attached to a human host for up to about a week, most commonly 3–5 days. If not removed, it may stay as long as ten days, raising the risk of disease transmission.
How long can a tick remain on a person? - in detail
Ticks attach to a human host for a period that varies with species, life stage, and environmental conditions. Adult females of the common deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) typically feed for 3–5 days, while adult males may remain attached for up to 7 days without completing a full blood meal. Larval and nymphal stages usually feed for 2–3 days, but nymphs of the western black‑legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) can stay attached for as long as 5 days under favorable humidity.
Factors influencing attachment duration:
- Temperature: Warm ambient temperatures accelerate metabolism, shortening the feeding window.
- Humidity: High relative humidity (>80 %) prolongs attachment by preventing desiccation.
- Host grooming: Frequent removal attempts reduce the time a tick remains attached.
- Pathogen transmission: Some bacteria, such as Borrelia burgdorferi, require at least 36 hours of feeding before transmission becomes likely; thus, ticks often stay longer to complete the blood meal.
Typical maximum attachment times by species:
- Ixodes ricinus (European castor bean tick): 4–7 days (adult female)
- Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick): 5–10 days (adult female)
- Amblyomma americanum (Lone star tick): 5–8 days (adult female)
If a tick is not removed within its feeding period, it will eventually detach and fall off, typically after completing engorgement. Prolonged attachment increases the risk of pathogen transmission and may cause localized skin irritation or secondary infection.
Prompt detection and removal—ideally within 24 hours of attachment—minimizes health risks. Use fine‑point tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, apply steady upward pressure, and clean the bite site after extraction.