| Three species of ticks are common in Middle Tennessee: the American
Dog Tick, the Deer Tick, and the Lone Star Tick. Mature ticks become
a problem during early summer. Ticks wait on vegetation for passing
mammals. Therefore walking on a clear trail is usually tick-free.
Most tick bites only cause minor skin irritation. Occasionally ticks
are vectors, or carriers, of disease. Ticks remaining on the body
for extended periods of time are especially a risk for causing problems.
A few ticks may transmit serious diseases including Lime Disease and
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Masses of tiny ticks encountered in
deep woods in late summer are newly hatched juveniles, or in-stars.
After each nature excursion, check your body for the presence of these
parasites to reduce the chances of health problems. |
