Ticks can vary in appearance depending on the type. There are two groups of ticks: "hard" and "soft" ticks, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health Prevention and Control.

View Full Profile. Learn about our Editorial Policies. Astealthy quest is afoot in the forests of the Netherlands. Sitting atop a blade of grass, biding time till its next blood meal, is a hard tick.

Do tick checks. Spend time looking for ticks on your body, pets, clothing, and gear after you come in from time outdoors. Use a mirror for hard-to-see areas of your body, and don’t forget to ...