Deer Ticks

Sometimes misspelled "dear tick"

The deer tick is one of hundreds of species of ticks that have evolved around the world. The deer tick gets its name because its preferred host is the white-tailed deer. But this small, dark-legged arachnid will also attach itself to almost anything that has blood it can suck.

The deer tick is also called the seed tick or bear tick.

In the U.S., Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin have large populations of deer ticks. They're most commonly found along trails in grassy and wooded areas, but also tend to hide in the dens of smaller animals like mice, skunks, and raccoons. Adult ticks feed in winter, which is why they're found so often on deer.

Deer tick larvae generally feed on white-footed mice that are infected with Lyme disease. Deer tick larvae, however, cannot transmit Lyme disease at the larvae stage. When they reach the nymph stage, they're capable of passing the disease to people.

Deer tick nymphs are most active between May and July. People living in tick-prone areas during those months need to be especially careful to protect themselves and their pets.

Contrary to popular belief, ticks can't fly or jump. They crawl onto the body of the host when the host walks by.

The back of the neck is the deer tick's favorite feeding spot on humans. They have to be attached to their host for at least six to eight hours to transmit Lyme disease. Therefore, it's extremely important to find and remove ticks as soon as possible.

Deer ticks usually live for about two years.

Related: Tick Bite, Tick Disease.