Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne illness.  Do you have to get a tick bite to get Lyme disease?

Yes, Lyme disease is only passed through a tick bite.  Ticks are not infected with Lyme.  The are carriers of the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.  Ticks that carry Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii, are the only culprits of Lyme disease transmission.  Lyme is not passed by any other animal.  Lyme is not contagious.  It is not passed from humans to animals.  It is not passed from animals to humans.  The fact that Lyme is so prevalent, yet is only passed through a tick bite, illustrates the impact of ever-growing tick populations.

Also read: Are tick-borne diseases contagious?

Which ticks do not transmit Lyme disease?

The bacteria that cause Lyme disease are transmitted through the bite of a deer tick, also known as a black-legged tick.  Ticks that can also be found in the United States, which do not transmit Lyme disease, are the brown dog tick, American dog tick, wood tick, and Lone Star tick.  But don’t go thinking those tick species are not harmful to humans and animals.  They transmit diseases, such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tularemia, and Southern tick-associated rash illness.

Also read: Dog Tick vs. Deer Tick

Tick control is the single best prevention for Lyme disease.

The best method of preventing Lyme disease for your family is through tick control and personal protection.  This means that you should protect yourself with tick repellent and protective clothing when you are camping, hiking, or even spending a day at the beach.  Perform full-body tick checks after you are outdoors.  For simple at-home protection, hire a tick control company to treat all the areas outside your home in spring, summer, and fall.  Ultimate tick control measures can be taken with tick tubes in the winter.

Also read: Are tick-borne illnesses on the rise in Massachusetts?