Spring surge in ticks puts humans, animals at risk of diease

Lainie Kringen-Scholtz
May 15, 2024
May 15, 2024

Mean tick — Chris Hardie is taken down by the bite of a *Ixodes scapularis*, better known as the blacklegged tick or deer tick. It carries the bacterium *Borrelia burgdorferi*, which causes Lyme disease.
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The ticks this spring are out for blood! Literally. Maybe we say this every year, but I feel like this spring the ticks are out worse than ever.

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Lainie Kringen-Scholtz, DVM, is owner of True North Veterinary Health and associate at Big Sioux Veterinary Care. Reach her at truenorthveterinaryhealth@gmail.com or PO Box 117, Wentworth, SD 57075.