upvote
Getting a tick is no big event. It is just something that happens if you live near woods. I own a forest, and get ticks on occasion. Gross, but no big deal. Grab a tick-pulling tool and gently coax them out. Don't crush them or force them out with a blunt object, you are just as likely to tear their head off and leave it stuck in you, which just makes it more likely for you to get sick. Just remove them before 24 hours, and it is highly unlikely they'll give you a disease.

Ticks also get attached to humans in tall grass and forest edges, not from the trees. Walking through open fields is a more likely way to get a tick than walking through the woods, because that is where the deer sleep. They bed down in tall grass, and the ticks come along for the ride. So be wary of the grass, not the woods. As a matter of fact, the best thing you can do to keep ticks away from your home if you live out in the country is to keep 8-10 feet of grass cut really short at the perimeter of your property or wherever it meets the woods.

Young deer often walk towards people, too. They aren't born afraid of humans, and have natural instincts to freeze, not flee. So when their mama hides them, it is just as likely to be near humans, not in the woods with the coyotes. They'll learn the fear soon enough (definitely during hunting season), but until then they certainly have youthful curiosity.

Even so, "sign me up" is still a good answer. Home testing sounds great.

reply
I think you're being a bit strong with the "So be wary of the grass, not the woods"

In the trees they drop down on you from above. Had them do that many times.

The general consensus is to wear a hat when mushrooming in the places I've been.

reply
Ticks do not drop from trees.
reply
Where is your proof?

They have thermal sensors on their forearms and are known to climb trees. Why wouldn't they approach from above?

reply
Ticks climb low vegetation (not just grass) and wait for a host to pass by ("questing").

If you're going to disagree with basic textbook biology knowledge, the burden of proof is on you.

reply
Can you explain how short grass on the perimeter helps?
reply
Ticks can transmit Powassan and Heartland viruses within the first 15 minutes of a bite.

Still feeling cool, suave, experienced, and fearless?

reply
Hey, thanks - I wasn't aware of that. Glad to have learned it.

But you can probably tell that there is no need to be snarky. Just your first sentence would have been more in line with how people engage with each other around here.

reply
I'd argue it's perfectly fine to have some snark reacting to a comment spreading a potentially dangerous sentiment.

I have at least one serious regret about trusting someone on the internet saying something incorrect confidently.

reply
And tick-borne encephalitis, in regions where that is endemic.

No need to be rude, though!

reply
The tick you're talking about here (hard to crush) is a wood tick, the types that carry lyme are deer ticks.

They're much, much smaller. The size of a poppy seed.

reply
Deer ticks are hard to crush too. And I'd say typically closer to the size of a sesame than a poppy seed. I like to pinch them between the tips of two fingernails, but lighting them on fire is also an enjoyable way to end them.
reply