All Brits must watch out for ‘UK’s most dangerous insect’ during walks

If you’re planning on venturing out into the great British outdoors this summer, you need to be aware of “Britain’s most dangerous insect”, as a single bite could see you rushed to hospital.

The UK is home to a vast array of creepy crawlies that keep our ecosystem flourishing, from pollinating plants and supporting crop growth to serving as a crucial food source for birds and other wildlife. We are fortunate that the UK has relatively few native insect species capable of causing us serious harm, yet there are still plenty of bugs that bite or sting, including wasps, mosquitoes and horseflies.

However, according to one keen hiker on social media, there is one bug native to Britain that “scares outdoorsy people more than all the others”. El, a mountain leader and wild swimmer who regularly shares survival tips for the outdoors on her TikTok page, recently posted a video urging all Brits to remain vigilant about ticks, which she considers to be the “scariest insects in the UK”.

Ticks are tiny, spider-like arachnids that survive by feeding on the blood of both animals and humans. When not attached to a host, they inhabit areas with long grass, meaning you are most likely to pick one up while walking through woodland areas.

These insects are particularly hazardous as they carry an illness known as Lyme disease, which can be transmitted to humans by entering the bloodstream while feeding. If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to serious complications such as facial palsy, irregular heartbeats, and arthritis — however, it is treatable if detected early.

How to avoid ticks

In her video, El explained that the simplest way to avoid picking up a tick while out walking is to ensure you always wear trousers, even when the weather might seem ideal for shorts.

If you plan to walk through long grass, El suggested it may be wise to tuck your trousers into your socks, just to ensure no ticks can crawl beneath your clothing.

What to do if a tick has bitten you

Each time you return home from an area that may harbour ticks, it is essential that you check yourself thoroughly for the insects. Unlike mosquitoes, ticks do not bite and move on — instead, they remain attached to you, much like a leech, meaning you should be able to spot the tiny insect clinging to your skin.

Under no circumstances should you attempt to remove the tick with your fingers. Doing so can leave parts of the insect’s mouth embedded within your skin, and you can still contract Lyme disease this way.

Instead, use a tick removal tool or tick tweezers to grasp the insect as close to the skin as possible, then very carefully pull it away from the skin. The tick should then detach itself once slight pressure is applied behind it, helping to ensure that the mouthparts have not been left embedded in your skin.

How to spot the symptoms of Lyme disease

The most prevalent symptom of Lyme disease is a “bullseye” rash that manifests as a large circular or oval-shaped mark around the bite. This can emerge up to three months after being bitten, though it typically appears within one to four weeks.

According to the NHS, some individuals may also develop flu-like symptoms several days or weeks after being bitten by an infected tick, which can include:

Not every tick in the UK carries the bacteria responsible for causing Lyme disease, but it remains crucial to be vigilant about these insects and remove them at the earliest opportunity should you be bitten, as a precaution.

You should seek an emergency GP appointment or obtain assistance from 111 if you have been bitten by a tick or visited an area where infected ticks may be present within the last three months and you:

• Feel unwell with flu-like symptoms – such as feeling hot or cold, feeling shivery, headaches or aching muscles
• Have a round or oval-shaped rash

For more information on Lyme disease, visit the NHS website.