Doctors around the world are becoming worried about a tiny but dangerous creature: the tick. Ticks are small bugs that feed on blood. They can carry germs that cause serious health problems, such as Lyme disease. In the UK, cases of Lyme disease rose by 20 percent between 2024 and 2025. A disease control center in the United States reported a huge rise in tick bites. It said about thirty-one million Americans get bitten by ticks every year.
Why are there more ticks now? A biology professor says the changing climate is a big reason. Warmer temperatures help ticks survive and spread to new places. Ticks are related to spiders and have eight legs. After they fill themselves with blood, their bodies swell up like balloons. They can grow to the size of an apple seed. When a tick gets on a person, it sinks its mouthparts into the skin. Its saliva contains a special substance that acts like an anaesthetic (麻醉剂). This numbs the bite area, so people usually feel nothing. The tick can then drink blood for several days without being noticed.
To avoid ticks, people should take some simple steps. Use insect repellent (驱虫剂) on your skin and clothes. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and closed shoes when walking in grassy or wooded areas. After being outdoors, check your body and clothes carefully for ticks. If you find a tick, remove it with tweezers (镊子) as soon as possible. By being careful, we can still enjoy nature while staying safe.