Safety note: Check for ticks after outdoor activity.
The Black-legged Tick, or deer tick, is the primary vector of Lyme disease in the eastern United States, as well as anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus. Adults are tiny — nymphs the size of a poppy seed — making them easy to overlook. The tick must be attached for 36–48 hours to transmit Lyme disease, so prompt removal after outdoor activity is essential.
Habitat
Deciduous forests, tall grass, and shrubby edges throughout the East
Diet
All stages: blood of white-footed mice, deer, birds, and humans
How common
Common
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