Pest Organisms / Blacklegged Tick
Risks
for Blacklegged Tick
The risk is to human and animal health, not property or food. This tick is the main carrier of the Lyme bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi. Source: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN300 Source: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ent-0096 It can also pass the agents of anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus. Source: https://extension.psu.edu/ticks-and-tickborne-disease Source: https://wisconsin-ticks.russell.wisc.edu/wisconsin-ticks/ixodes-scapularis-black-legged-ticks/ Because nymphs are so small and easy to overlook, they account for an outsized share of human infections. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/causes/index.html An infected tick usually must stay attached a while before it can pass the Lyme bacterium — generally more than 24 hours, with about 24–48 hours reported — so removing it within a day sharply lowers risk. [CDC; Minnesota Department of Health] Source: https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/causes/index.html Source: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/tickborne/ticks.html