Deer ticks are the only known current carrier of Lyme Disease in the United States. Although hard to see with the naked eye (until they are engourged with the host's blood) these ticks in the larvae stage are smaller than the head of a pin..

Also known as the black-legged tick, the deer tick has three distinct stages of life: larvae, nymph and adult stage. A member of the arachnid family, the deer tick has eight legs, a segmented body with sharp mouthparts for sucking blood out of their host's body.

The deer tick lives for two years. The larvae is deposited on the ground by the female deer tick and the larvae stays there until a host animal runs by then the larvae attaches itself to its food source. If the host animal is infected already with Lyme Disease, the tick will pick up the infection as well.The bacteria spirochete that causes Lyme Disease will then take hold, but as a larvae there is no threat of the infection being transmitted until the larve grows into a nymph and then into an adult. The common host animal for this tick is the woodland deer.

Pest Control Tips for Deer Ticks:

If you hike or travel in a known tick-infected area, wear long pants and heavy socks and closed shoes. Tuck your pants into your socks so that no bare skin is visible. Wear long sleeved shirts and a hat to also minimize risk.

If you notice a tick on you, don't panic and grab it with your fingers. Instead use special sharp needle-nosed pliers small enough to grab the head, near the mouthparts. Gently pull the mouth up and out, and drop the tick into a jar with rubbing alcohol, liquid soap and water in it. Clean the wound immediately with hot water scrub and a disinfectant soap.

Watch for the following symptoms: rash, fever, chills, joint swellings, or a stiff neck. If you experience any of these symptoms after removal of the tick see your doctor immediately!

If you have pets keep them safely treated with flea and tick control.