Finding large, black ticks attached to knees (or anywhere else on the body)
can be an unsettling experience. Ticks, often small and easy to miss, feed on
blood and can carry diseases, so seeing one in an unusually large form may
be surprising. Some tick species, like the dog tick, can appear black and grow
considerably in size as they fill with blood, which might make them look far
larger than expected.

If you’ve encountered these “giant” ticks, it’s essential to remove them safely,
ideally with tweezers by grasping as close to the skin as possible to ensure
the head doesn’t stay lodged in the skin. Following removal, washing the area
and monitoring it for any signs of infection or irritation is recommended. If a
bite area shows signs of infection or rash, consulting a healthcare provider is a
good next step, as ticks can carry illnesses like Lyme disease and tick-borne
encephalitis.

Ticks are most active in grassy, wooded areas, so taking preventive steps like
wearing long sleeves, using tick repellents, and checking your skin after
outdoor activities can help you avoid these surprising encounters with giant,
black ticks.