We get quite a few of them over here too, especially because we're always out and about. I always keep rubbing alcohol and tweezers in the car so I can deal with it where ever we are. My son picks them up all the time! We usually only see the small ones but a couple of years back I got one of the really big ones on the back of my neck, it was quite painful and most unpleasant. Out of the dozens we've had over the years we've only ever had 2 of those larger type.

Leeches too... also not a fan of those either!!