Ticks are gruesome parasites that suck blood. They don't distinguish much between hosts: dogs, cats, people and other mammals. Ticks carry the infamous Lyme disease. They can let themselves fall out of trees and bushes but the greatest chance of contact is walking through high grass and wild flowers. The most important months to watch out for ticks are from April through October. Strange enough, they seem to be less present in nature areas where cattle roam. A tick usually visits three different hosts during its lifetime. Between two meals, they can go for months without food. Ticks are not only found in woods, but also in the dunes.