How to Check for Ticks: Body Hotspots and a Self-Check

TickSpot Guide · Updated October 2026

In short: Ticks prefer warm, sheltered spots — the Robert Koch Institute names the hairline, ears, neck, armpits, the crook of the elbow, navel, genital area and back of the knee. Checking exactly these zones after every time outdoors finds most ticks in a few minutes, even on your own and even in places you can't see without a mirror.

Where ticks attach on people

Hairline, scalp and neck — technique in "Finding ticks in thick hair"
Behind the ears and in the ear
Neck, armpits and the crook of the elbow
Navel and waistband line — how to get a tick out of the navel: "Tick in the belly button"
Groin and genital area — how to check and remove there: "Tick in the groin or genital area"
Backs of the knees
Between the toes and at the ankle
Under tight clothing — waistband, bra band, cuffs, watch strap

Why these spots

Ticks don't fall from trees and don't jump. According to the RKI, they climb onto blades of grass, bushes or deadwood and are brushed off onto whoever passes — most wait less than a metre above the ground, often only 10 to 50 centimetres. They don't bite straight away but often roam the body for some time. Because a tick feeds for several days — three to five as a nymph, six to eight as an adult — it looks for a spot where it won't be brushed off. It treats tight clothing as that kind of shelter, too.

That explains the difference between children and adults: children brush past waiting ticks with head and neck, adults usually first with legs, groin and waistband. The routine for children is in "Checking your child for ticks".

How to check for ticks on yourself

Right when you change after gardening, a hike, a run or football on grass — before roaming ticks attach.
Legs first: hold the TickSpot camera 10 to 15 centimetres above the skin and sweep from ankle to thigh, backs of the knees and sock line included.
Waistband and groin: run along the waistband of trousers or leggings once, then the groin — easier sitting down.
Upper body: belly, chest, under the bra band, armpits.
Head and neck: part the hair in sections and hold the camera close to the scalp. For the neck, ears and shoulders, hold the camera behind your head and freeze the frame — then study the still in front of you, no second mirror needed.
Switch on the app's light if the bathroom is dim, and zoom in on tiny dots.

On hairy skin, a nymph is almost invisible to the naked eye: it looks like one of many dark hair roots. The inverted view flips that — the skin turns dark and the tick shows as a bright, compact dot with a clear shape. How it works is in "Find ticks with your phone". If a dark dot is still unclear, "Tick or Mole?" helps.

On dogs and cats

Same principle, different anatomy: head, ears, neck, armpits, groin and belly — anywhere the coat is thin and the skin soft. The full routine is in "Checking your dog or cat for ticks".

Check the hotspots directly: TickSpot runs free in your browser — no sign-up, and all images stay on your phone.

Start the tick check

Frequently asked questions

Where do ticks attach most often?

The Robert Koch Institute names the hairline and ears as well as the neck, armpits, the crook of the elbow, navel, genital area and back of the knee — plus places where clothing fits tightly, such as the waistband or under a watch strap. Ticks look for sheltered spots because they feed for several days and must not be brushed off.

Do ticks jump or fall from trees?

Neither. According to the RKI, ticks climb onto blades of grass, bushes or deadwood and are brushed off onto whoever passes. Most wait less than a metre above the ground, often only 10 to 50 centimetres.

How do I check places I can't see myself?

With your phone camera: hold it behind your head or against your back, freeze the frame and study the still image at leisure. It replaces the second mirror. For the back, a second person remains the safest option.

Why are ticks so hard to see on hairy skin?

Because the eye has to find one dark dot among many dark hair roots. In the inverted camera view, the skin becomes the dark background and the tick a bright, compact dot with a clear shape.

Sources

Robert Koch Institute: Tick FAQ (preferred bite sites, tight clothing, feeding time, how high ticks wait, no jumping or falling, roaming before biting — in German)

Note: This article provides general information and does not replace medical or veterinary advice.