Lyme Disease is the most recognizable tick-borne disease in the United States, known for his red bulls eye marking. Lyme Disease affects over 300,000 Americans each year and is caused by a tick bite from an infected tick. Ticks are discovered throughout the year as the temperatures rise above freezing in grassy and wooded areas and are known to attack warm-blooded mammals to find food including wildlife, people and pets. While any animal can get Lyme Disease, the animals below are the top carriers of ticks with the disease.

White-tailed deer are the number one carriers of ticks with tick-borne illnesses in the United States. When they approach lawns and gardens, they become a threat, not just to our gardens, but to our health. For tick disease prevention for both family members and pets, homeowners are advised to install a deer fence around home properties that is at least 7.5' feet tall. Without fencing, deer can easily drop ticks in the yard where adults garden and children and companion animals play. 

There are over 850 tick species worldwide with 90 tick types in the U.S. and 40 tick types in Canada. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Spread the word about the dangers of ticks and ways to prevent tick diseases from reaching family members and pets.