The tick life cycle

The main tick species found in the UK and the rest of Europe are temporary parasites, which means they spend 3 to 10 days feeding on your pet before falling to the ground and developing into their next life stage.

Ixodes is the most common species of tick in the UK and typically has a 3-year life cycle with one stage occurring each year.

The tick life cycle


Regular treatment is essential to protect your pet from ticks and the problems they can cause – including the diseases they can transmit. FRONTLINE® Spot On does not prevent ticks from attaching to your pet, but by killing ticks within the first 24-48 hours after attachment, prior to the tick taking its full blood meal, the risk of transmission of disease from the tick to your pet is reduced. FRONTLINE Spot On is effective against all three of the commonest European tick species and remains effective even if your pet gets wet.