> They are attracted to carbon monoxide given off by host animals.   Perhaps you have a heavy breather.

Certainly not my dogs, they're racing fit sighthounds... OMG what if it's my heavy breathing attracting the ticks to the dogs!

Ha, just noticed, it should have read carbon dioxide.  Not many of us are exhaling carbon monoxide I hope.

that would be novel

Good editing job, still makes sense to read through

Great job Satincollie:  All that nastiness removed

We are in the Scottish Borders and I've had ticks every month of the year! Granted they are much less common from November to February but we still get the odd one. Mind you we do live in the woods so that might have a lot to do with it. i treat with Advantix in the spring/Summer but just take the odd ones off so that I am not putting too much chemical on them all year round.

Thanks flattiemum - am I right you have flatties?! Just so I know what hair length we are talking about...

Yes how did you guess that