Ticks

Summary

The deer tick or blacklegged tick (although some people reserve the latter term for Ixodes pacificus, which is found on the West Coast of the USA), and in some parts of the USA as the bear tick. It is a hard-bodied tick with dark legs (family Ixodidae) of the eastern and northern Midwestern United States.

It is a vector for several diseases of animals, including humans (Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, etc) and is known as the deer tick due to its habit of parasitizing the white-tailed deer.

Habits

These ticks like to feed on the blood of white-tailed deer, which is why they are sometimes called “deer ticks”.

Habitat

Blacklegged ticks prefer to hide in grass and shrubs.

Threats

Blacklegged (deer) ticks can spread Lyme Disease.

Prevention

When in an area where ticks are common, wear long sleeved shirts and pants, preferably light colored so ticks will be easy to detect. Tuck pants into socks. Use a tick repellent. When you return indoors, inspect clothing and skin thoroughly for ticks, including head. Wash clothes immediately.