Deer Tick Nymph Caught Using Tick Remover Instrument Royalty-Free Stock Photography

The black-legged, or deer, tick Ixodes scapularis is named for its black legs. Its body is pale in color, and can be recognized by the small size and reddish dorsal area. Females have a shorter dorsal plate and a tear-drop shape. If you remove a tick quickly within 24 hours you can greatly reduce your chances of getting Lyme disease. It takes some time for the Lyme disease-causing bacteria to move from the tick to the host. The longer the tick is attached, the greater the risk of acquiring disease from it. This common poppy seed size tick caught and killed before feeding July 4, 2019 in Freeville, NYS. Very hard to spot on children, adults and animals. Size of a freckle. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/transmission/blacklegged.html