Ticks don’t jump or fly—they wait in brush or grassy areas for a host to pass by, then latch on to feed. In Arizona, ticks are commonly found on pets or people after hiking, walking through dense vegetation, or even spending time in the backyard.

Common species include the brown dog tick and the American dog tick. You may notice ticks attached to pets, crawling on walls or bedding, or even inside your home if they’ve hitched a ride. Their bites are often painless at first but may cause redness, swelling, or, in rare cases, disease transmission.