Fake vampires can’t compete with the real blood suckers of nature, the tick.

The New York Times explains how the tiny real life horror creatures use their saw-like mouths to cut deep into their victims. If that’s not bad enough, the tiny vampires also can transfer plenty of nasty pathogens to their hosts as well.

So don’t fear the ghost, witches, and goblins this Halloween kids. Fear the truly terrifying tick.