Recent guidance from the NHS emphasizes the importance of planning ahead for trips to grassy areas, particularly between March and October when tick activity is high. This period, starting in March, signals the beginning of tick season, posing a heightened risk of tick bites.
Visitors to woodland, parks, and moorland are advised to be cautious and dress appropriately to reduce the likelihood of tick bites. NHS Inform, the health information service for Scotland, provides detailed information on tick risks to humans on its official website.
In an updated webpage from February 2026, the NHS outlined precautions for tick bites, noting the typical March to October period as tick season. The guidance describes ticks as small arachnids that feed on the blood of various animals, including humans.
Ticks, ranging from 1mm to 1cm in size with six or eight legs, remain active due to wet weather and warmer temperatures, potentially extending the season beyond October. Awareness of tick presence throughout the year is crucial as symptoms, like inflammation, can manifest two to three months post-bite.
Vigilance is recommended over the next eight months to avoid tick-borne infections such as Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that triggers a distinctive rash post-bite. While not all ticks carry the bacteria causing Lyme disease, it is advised to consult a GP if experiencing any symptoms.
Ticks commonly feed on mammals and birds, inhabiting areas like woodland, moorland, gardens, and parks. If bitten, prompt removal of the tick and monitoring the bite area are advised, with any health concerns warranting a visit to a GP.
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